Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is blocking an attempt to extend funding for the 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund.

The bill, which passed in the House last week by a vote of 402-12, would ensure the fund pays benefits for 9/11 victims' families and others who were sickened at ground zero for the next 70 years.

The new bill comes as the current $7 billion victims compensation fund is being depleted and has cut benefit payments by up to 70 percent.

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Sen. Paul objected when Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand asked for unanimous consent on the bill, saying: “We're adding debt at about a trillion dollars a year, and therefore, any new spending that we are approaching, any new program that's going to have the longevity of 70 to 80 years, should be offset by cutting spending that's less valuable."

Paul later tweeted that he was "not blocking the 9/11 bill" but rather "asking for a vote on an amendment to offset the cost."

Paul was met with some pushback, including by Comedian/Activist Jon Stewart and by Seaford Rep. Peter King.

Sen. Gillibrand has since stated that she wants Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to hold a floor vote on the bill so that the bill can be addressed before congress' recess next month.

McConnell has previously vowed that the current law 9/11 bill would be funded fully.