Rand Paul Skips Netanyahu's Speech

Politico reports:

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warm welcome from a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, freshman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) skipped out on the speech, staging what appeared to be a silent protest of America’s foreign aid to Israel.

As senators gathered on the Senate floor before the address, Paul was spotted speaking to his staffers toward the back of the chamber. As the Senate procession across the Capitol began, the tea-party-backed senator quietly walked to his desk, sat down and began shuffling through papers and newspapers.

He remained the only senator on the Senate floor during the speech.

Earlier this year, Paul came under fire from both Democrats and Republicans after proposing cutting all U.S. foreign aid, including the $3 billion the country spends on military assistance for Israel each year.

However, Paul spokeswoman Moira Bagley pointed out that her boss had heard Netanyahu speak Monday night while attending the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference, adding that Paul’s decision not to attend had more to do with a dispute with Senate Majority Harry Reid (D-Nev.) over the Patriot Act extension.

“This is about the PATRIOT Act and Reid not yet keeping his agreement on amendments,” Bagley said.