By Devin Katayama
Louisville, KY – Kentucky's junior US Senator Rand Paul has blocked an extension of healthcare benefits to elderly and disabled refugees. The measure would give refugees more time to earn citizenship and keep any benefits they receive intact. Senator Mitch McConnell's office previously reported over 600 Kentucky refugees would be affected by this legislation. In opposing the measure, Paul often discusses the two refugees arrested earlier this year in Bowling Green and accused of plotting terrorist acts. But Rich Seckel with Kentucky Equal Justice Center says the men weren't elderly and they weren't disabled. Congress has twice passed an extension before with bi-partisan support. The Social Security Administration has now stopped funding the SSI for elderly and disabled refugees. Calls to Paul's office for comment were not returned.