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Once again, Rand Paul (R-KY) of Kentucky stood alone on the Senate floor to argue his case against adding the country of Montenegro to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, citing concerns that Americans would once again have to fit the bill for a country a world away.

The Senate voted on Monday97-2 to approve admitting the European country into NATOwith virtually no debate.

Paul was the only one to voice a contrary opinion, giving a 16-minute monologueon the matter, warning of the dangers of making promises to foreign countries and upholding the controversialArticle V section of the NATO agreements.

"Our unrestricted, un-voted upon involvement in war everywhere informs my opposition to expanding NATO," Paul said. "Everyone likes to talk about NATO's Article V obligation -- to come to the defense of any NATO ally that is attacked. That is in the treaty. If Montenegro is attacked, we will have to respond," he warned.

Paul argued that some inCongress believe that Article V of the international order supersedes the Constitution when it comes to declaring war.

Also,members of NATO very rarely pay their dues. Each member country is expected to contribute 2 percent of their annual GDP. Since the early 2000s, the U.S. hasroutinely contributed3 to 5 percent of its GDP to NATO while major countries such asFrance (1.78 percent), Germany (1.19), Italy (1.11) and Canada (.99) fall well short.

Therefore, will Congress expect Montenegro to pay their fair share?

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Rand Paul Warns of Adding Montenegro to NATO: Another Commitment to Another Foreign Country - Townhall

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On the Senate floor earlier this month, McCain accused Paul of "working for (Russian President) Vladimir Putin" when Paul objected to a resolution on allowing Montenegro to join NATO. Paul later fired back at McCain by saying the 80-year-old senator made "a really strong case for term limits." He added he was "past his prime" and "gotten a little bit unhinged."

Paul did not back down when asked about McCain on the Sean Hannity radio program.

"You know, I thought the old McCarthyism got kind of old," Paul said. "Calling people communists, calling people friends of Russia, I thought that was so 1950s. I really thought we're beyond that. I take it pretty seriously because when somebody in the Senate calls another senator basically a traitor to their country, you think that somebody ought to be rebuked for that?"

A McCain spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to Paul's comment.

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Sen. Rand Paul accuses John McCain of McCarthyism - CNN

A handful of southern Kentucky activists rallied at the Bowling Green office of U.S. Senator Rand Paul in support of a national campaign to urge the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to establish an independent investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Rand Paul is a member of that committee.

Bowling Green resident Peter Zielinski said he used to be more politically conservative, but he attended the March 28 rally because he has concerns aboutnational leaders appointed by President Trump.

The history of many of the appointees is at least suspect, said Zielinski. There is a preponderance of people with ties to Russia and foreign governments and thats just the tip of what we know, at this point. We dont know the whole truth and we should know the whole truth.

A spokeswoman for Senator Paul said he was in Washington, D.C. on the day of the Bowling Green rally, but was glad to receive the letter from the local group and will review it.

Bowling Green retired teacher Claudia Hanes adapted a song from the musicalLes Miserablesfor the rally. Some of the lyrics were, Do you hear the people sing, singing the song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not vote for you again."

Hanes said there are many questions about members of the Trump administration and their ties to Russia, and she wants answers.

Our rally is to convince Rand Paul to be part of the movement to get an independent commission to investigate thoroughly what happened and if nothing else, to see that it never happens again.

The rally was part of national campaign to deliver a similar message to all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

2017 WKU Public Radio

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Activists Rally to Urge Rand Paul to Support an Independent Investigation into Russian Influence - WKMS

Sen. Rand PaulRand PaulThe Hill's 12:30 Report This week: GOP picks up the pieces after healthcare defeat Trump, GOP fumble chance to govern MORE (R-Ky.) says Vice President Pence should oversee the Senate's debate on the GOP healthcare plan, pitching the idea as a solution to end the current stalemate in the House over replacing ObamaCare.

Paul suggested that a "firm commitment" that Pence would preside over the Senate and be the one making decisions about what can be included in the bill would help reassure conservative House members that their changes won't be stripped out by the Senate's parliamentarian.

Paul, speaking to reporters about what could help the House reach a deal, responded, "If President Trump and Vice President Pence made a public declaration that they are willing to make the vice president sit in the chair and have the vice president make the judgment on what is allowable under Senate rules."

"Are we going to let the parliamentarian decide what should be in the bill or are we going to let the vice president?" Paul questioned during a call with reporters.

The vice president is also president of the Senate, though in modern times, the incumbent has rarely filled that role except to break tied votes in the chamber.

House Republicans postponed a vote Thursday on their bill, a major setback for Trump and Speaker Paul RyanPaul RyanTrump approval hits new low Conservatism's worst enemy? The Freedom Caucus. Newsmax CEO: 'Trump still the winner after Ryan plan fails' MORE (R-Wis.), who have been working to wrangle votes and exploring ways to secure conservative backing.

Conservatives argue that Pence can decide what is and what isnt eligible under the special budget reconciliation process, which allows Republicans to pass legislation with a simple majority.

Asked if he and the Freedom Caucus had been making that demand during their meetings with the White House, Paul declined to speak for House lawmakers but said that "it's been part of the discussions when I've been in the room."

Paul signaled that he was concerned that if conservatives included a repeal of ObamaCare's insurance mandates in the House bill that the Senate parliamentarian will strip them from the bill because of the Byrd Rule.

To pass muster under the Byrd Rule, legislation using the reconciliation process must be primarily focused on addressing the deficit, which is why only provisions that have a budgetary impact may be included.

GOP senators said this week that they are already working with the parliamentarian to make sure their amendments comply with the rule and will be eligible to be included in the repeal and replace legislation.

Senate GOP leaders are also warning against expanding the House healthcare bill too broadly.

Asked about Pence or even the parliamentarian ignoring the Byrd Rule, Sen. John CornynJohn CornynThis week: GOP picks up the pieces after healthcare defeat GOP senators pitch alternatives after House pulls ObamaCare repeal bill Rand Paul takes victory lap on GOP health bill MORE (R-Texas) downplayed the chances of that happening.

"I'm deeply skeptical of that because the Byrd Rule is not just a precedent, it's not just a rule of the Senate, it's a law. ... What we need to do is spend our energy and time trying to build consensus around something that can pass," he said.

Asked if House conservatives should stop pitching changes that could go against the Senate's Byrd Rule, he replied, "The House doesn't take advice from the Senate."

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Paul: Pence should oversee Senate ObamaCare repeal votes - The Hill (blog)

Sen. Rand PaulRand PaulTrump, GOP fumble chance to govern GOP senators pitch alternatives after House pulls ObamaCare repeal bill Rand Paul takes victory lap on GOP health bill MORE (R-Ky.) quickly declared victory on Friday, praising conservatives for "standing up against ObamaCare Lite."

I applaud House conservatives for keeping their word to the American people, Paul said in a statement.

Republican leaders pulled their bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare on Friday afternoon, acknowledging that it was headed toward defeat.

Paul who has been a top antagonist of the House bill added that "I look forward to passing full repeal of ObamaCare in the very near future.

Paul and other House conservatives have offered an alternative repeal bill that mirrors 2015 legislation cleared by Congress but vetoed by then-President Barack ObamaBarack ObamaPence: Trump 'won't rest' until ObamaCare repealed Christie: No evidence Trump was spied on Pence pushes Manchin in home state to support Gorsuch MORE.

GOP lawmakers haven't signaled that they are preparing to take up another healthcare bill, instead telling reporters that they didn't have a plan B.

"I have no idea because we have not discussed a plan B," Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) told reporters.

Senate leadership also signaled this week that they weren't preparing a backup plan if the House couldn't pass its repeal and replace bill.

"I'm not aware of any backup plan," Sen. John CornynJohn CornynGOP senators pitch alternatives after House pulls ObamaCare repeal bill Rand Paul takes victory lap on GOP health bill Senators push Trump on defense deals with India MORE (Texas), the Senate's No. 2 Republican, told The Hill. "I think our plan B is the same as our plan A."

The Senate will focus on Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court nomination ahead of a two-week recess, and lawmakers are expected to focus on avoiding a government shutdown once they return.

President Trump told The Washington Post on Friday afternoon that he is moving on from healthcare after the House GOP pulled its bill.

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Rand Paul takes victory lap on GOP health bill - The Hill (blog)