Sen. John McCain accused Sen. Rand Paul of "working for Vladimir Putin" on the Senate floor Wednesday, leading some to wonder if the Arizona Republican had violated Rule 19, a Senate regulation evoked earlier this year when one senator imputes the honor of another. McCain's comments came after Paul objected to a resolution that would allow Montenegro to join the NATO alliance. McCain responded by lobbing accusations at his fellow GOP senator multiple times, both before and after Paul objected to the vote, though the Kentucky senator did not add additional defense Wednesday. Pointedly singling out the "gentleman from Kentucky," McCain said those who object "are now carrying out the desires and ambitions of Vladimir Putin." When Paul formally objected, McCain reiterated his opinion. "The senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin," he said.
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Rule 19 of the Senate rules states, "No senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator."
When asked about whether he thinks he violated Rule 19, a spokeswoman for McCain nevertheless persisted in focusing on Paul's vote on Montenegro. "Sen. McCain believes that the person who benefits the most from Congress' failure to ratify Montenegro's ascension to NATO is Vladimir Putin," Julie Tarallo, a McCain spokeswoman, told CNN.
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