Rand Paul declares Tea Party dead as fellow Republicans endorse behemoth spending bill

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) took to the Senate floor Wednesday with a fiery speech protesting the massive budget deal being considered by the upper chamber, declaring his beloved Tea Party "dead" in a eulogy aimed at his fellow Republicans.

What are the details?

Democratic and Republican leadership in Congress are pushing for the passage of a $2.7 trillion spending package endorsed by the Trump administration, which would suspend the debt limit for two years. Sen. Paul — who was first elected during what he called the "Tea Party tidal wave" of 2010 — scolded his colleagues for abandoning their party's principles of fiscal restraint.

"It's the death. It's the last gasp of a movement in America that was concerned with our national debt," Paul declared in his speech from the Senate floor. "Today is the final nail in the coffin. The Tea Party is no more."

"The budget deal today allows unlimited borrowing for nearly two years," he continued. "Fiscal conservatives, those who remain, should be in mourning, for Congress — both parties — has deserted you."

Sen. Paul Blasts Both Parties for Budget Deal, Declares the Death of the Tea Partywww.youtube.com

What happened with the bill?

While the GOP leadership supports passage of the spending package, the caucus reportedly has opponents of the bill (other than Paul) among its ranks.

According to The Hill, the Senate has moved the vote to Thursday "amid questions over GOP support."