US Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, blocked a unanimous consent vote in the Senate Thursday on legislation that US Sen. Thom Tillis introduced last month that would refill the now depleted Small Business Administration’s disaster relief loan program, which ran out of money on Oct. 15.

The Restoring an Economic Lifeline with Immediate Emergency Funding (Relief) Act would appropriate $550 million to fund the SBA Disaster Loan Program Account, which would provide $2.475 billion in lending capacity projected to last until the end of 2024.

Many small businesses in southwest Virginia, Florida, Georgia, and western North Carolina have struggled to survive after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

That includes Asheville’s Wicked Weed Brewing’s Funkatorium, and Cultura, which have been closed indefinitely and eliminated some positions.

Tillis told the senators that thousands in that part of the state won’t have drinkable water until August 2025.

“A lot of these people lost loved ones, and they are trying to keep their businesses afloat while they are going to funerals,” he said.  “And we tell them we have to wait for Congress before we can send you a check. Because for the first time in this body, we are going to demand a pay for disaster recovery?”

He also said that major employers may decide to leave and that many people are still finding a place to live. It has also been reported that more than 1,500 Helene victims in western North Carolina are still living in hotels.

“When I tell you it’s a crisis in North Carolina when a major lifeline of I-40 is going to be down for years,” Tillis stated.  “I can’t tell people just because I don’t like the way it gets appropriated, it sucks for you. You may have to go out of business while I try to fix the dysfunction in Washington. This is a time to act like we do every time with a disaster supplemental.”

Fellow North Carolina Republican US Sen. Ted Budd agreed that the Senate should have passed the bill immediately.

US Sen. Mark Warner, D-VA, said people in communities in the southwestern part of his state will die if the legislation isn’t passed.

Paul argued that if they passed the bill the way Tillis wanted, they would have to borrow and spend another $810 million, something that US shouldn’t be doing right now as it is $2 trillion in debt, and the interest will be another trillion.

“The reason why we won’t do this in a responsible way is because the Senate sent all your money to Ukraine,” he stated. “$200 billion.”  We don’t have the money. I am willing to let it pass it today, but he (Tillis) is going to object to passing his own bill today simply because it gets paid for. I am willing to let the bill pass but take some of the fluff and boondoggle subsidies from the Green New Deal and put it in here.”

Paul said the US is funding small businesses in Ukraine and their government pensions.

Tillis said Paul’s amendment was the “right amendment at the wrong time” because it was disingenuous and didn’t have a prayer to get passed. He would also object to it because there is no time for it right now. He then asked for unanimous consent to his bill.

Paul argued that they won’t know if there wouldn’t be enough votes because Tillis is objecting and won’t allow the Democrats to object and let the system play out.

Tillis disagreed, stating that if the legislation passed the Senate, it would be paid for in the House since they have a majority there.

Paul was successful in blocking the unanimous consent vote. It is unclear what the next steps will be.