Washington, Jan. 6 (TNS): President Donald Trump on Saturday issued support for U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s proposal to fund infrastructure projects in the U.S. with foreign aid halted from going to Pakistan.
“Good idea Rand!” Trump said in a tweet.
In a tweet, Rand, a Kentucky Republican, said he planned to introduce his proposal soon.
“My bill will take the money that would have gone to Pakistan and put it in an infrastructure fund to build roads and bridges here at home,” the senator tweeted.
The U.S. announced plans to end up to $2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan.
The U.S. State Department contended that Pakistan had failed to take “decisive action” against Taliban militants targeting U.S. personnel in neighboring Afghanistan.
The figure represents about $1 billion in planned military assistance, including $255 million that was placed on hold in August, and about $900 million in Coalition Support Funds inteded to reimburse Pakistan for counterterrorism operations.
Earlier in the week, President Trump contended that the U.S. had “foolishly” given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years and had gotten nothing in return but “lies & deceit.”
