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Congress gives Rand Paul the run-around to pass Syria sanctions bill

Congress may resort to parliamentary parlor tricks to pass overwhelmingly bipartisan Syria sanctions legislation because of opposition from one senator.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) speaks at a press conference about the latest Republican Effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. September 25, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein - RC1EF698A6F0

Congress is resorting to parliamentary sleight of hand to pass a long-delayed Syria sanctions bill. That’s because a single lawmaker is holding up the overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation in the Senate.

Al-Monitor has learned that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is holding up the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act despite otherwise universal support in Congress and the Donald Trump administration’s endorsement.

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