Pak-Bill Holdup, Explained

So why the holdup on the Kerry-Lugar Pakistan aid bill? Because Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, had to first restore $4 billion in funding to the overall foreign-aid budget from which the money for Pakistan — $1.5 billion in the forthcoming fiscal year — will be drawn, according to committee spokesman Frederick Jones.

“Postponement of the introduction of the bill” allowed Kerry “to go to the Senate floor and get the $4 billion” yesterday, Jones said.

And now the clock has basically run out before the recess tomorrow.