Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has confirmed recent reports that he is the one who placed a hold on a major bill providing $38 billion in US military aid to Israel. Sen. Paul says he intends to introduce an amendment to the bill.

Sen. Paul said the move is a reaction to pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC’s resistance to his effort to hold debates on foreign aid, including aid that has nothing to do with Israel. He says this reflects a fear to allow any debate on the idea of the US borrowing money to send to foreign countries.

AIPAC confirmed as much, saying they generally support US foreign aid as a way to increase US influence, and by extension Israel’s international standing. They added the Israel aid needs to happen critically because of Iran.

Sen. Paul’s goal is to both cut aid to certain countries he views as enemies immediately, and to put time limits on aid to other countries like Israel, to try to make them self-sufficient instead of just permanently getting US aid.