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Post by Press Release on Mar 30, 2012 17:26:41 GMT -5
Obama EPA's Decision To End New Coal Power Plants Senator Rand Paul Press ReleaseWASHINGTON, D.C. - Recent news reports indicate that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will issue strict standards for the construction of new power plants. This decision threatens any proposal to build a coal-fired plant that does not have costly carbon controls. In response, Sen. Rand Paul released the following statement: "The Obama EPA's proposed energy mandate effectively bans new coal plants and reflects their ongoing war on American energy manufacturers and the American consumer," Sen. Paul said. "This new rule from Washington will cost Americans more at the pump, more on their utility bill, and for some, it will cost them their jobs and their livelihoods. It will undoubtedly have a chilling effect on coal power plants across Kentucky and the country - severely limiting our energy choices rather than fulfilling the all-of-the-above energy approach President Obama has touted. I will continue my fight to rein in the overzealous agenda of the Obama Administration and the EPA."
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Post by Press Release on Apr 17, 2012 22:20:56 GMT -5
Senate democrats vote to increase taxes on job creators Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Rand Paul released the following statement after the Senate voted 51-45 on a motion to proceed to S.2230, the Paying A Fair Share Act or the 'Buffett Tax': "This week, Americans final tax bill for 2011 will be due. We will also celebrate 'Tax Freedom Day,' where Americans finally stop working to send money to Washington and start keeping some for themselves. That's why it's appalling that Senate Democrats chose today to show how out of touch with America they are by demanding a vote to increase taxes on our nation's job creators," Sen. Paul said. "Surely our nation's tax system is broken and in dire need of reform. Yet, the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats' idea of reform is a Buffett Tax hike that has nothing to do with balancing our budget, lowering unemployment or simplifying the tax code - but everything to do with funding more reckless spending in Washington. "If we are going to solve our nation's debt crisis, restore the struggling economy, and put people back to work we need the kind of reform in this country that simplifies the tax code and reduces the burden for everyone, instead of going in the opposite direction as the Obama Administration has shown in promoting this convoluted legislation."
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Post by Press Release on Apr 18, 2012 13:34:35 GMT -5
Senate Passes McConnell-Paul Resolution Commending University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball Senator Rand Paul Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul, both of Kentucky, today introduced and the Senate passed S.Res. 422, a resolution commending the University Kentucky Wildcats on their 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship victory. The text of the resolution reads as follows: RESOLUTION
Commending and congratulating the University of Kentucky men's basketball team for winning its eighth Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association championship.
Whereas, on April 2, 2012, the University of Kentucky Wildcats defeated the University of Kansas Jayhawks, 67 to 59, in the final game of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as "NCAA") Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in New Orleans, Louisiana;
Whereas the Kentucky Wildcats have won 8 national titles, the second most in NCAA Division I men's basketball history;
Whereas the Kentucky Wildcats are the only men's Division I college basketball program to have won NCAA National Championships under 5 different coaches;
Whereas freshman center Anthony Davis was -
(1) the recipient of the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith Trophy and the Adolph Rupp Award, all for national player of the year;
(2) named the United States Basketball Writers Association player of the year, Associated Press player of the year, and Basketball Times player of the year;
(3) selected to the Associated Press All-America first team and was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Final Four tournament;
Whereas forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, guard Doron Lamb and center Anthony Davis were selected as members of the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team;
Whereas senior guard Darius Miller of Maysville, Kentucky set a school record for career games played with the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team at 152;
Whereas each player, coach, athletic trainer, and staff member of the University of Kentucky basketball team dedicated their season and their tireless efforts to their successful season of the team and the NCAA championship;
Whereas residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Wildcat fans worldwide are to commended for their long-standing support, perseverance, and pride in this team; and
Whereas Coach John Calipari and the University Kentucky Wildcats have brought pride and honor to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which is rightly known as the college basketball capital of the world: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate -
(1) commends and congratulates the University of Kentucky Wildcats on its outstanding accomplishment; and
(2) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the president of the University of Kentucky.
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Post by Press Release on May 29, 2012 18:43:33 GMT -5
Paul Calls for eliminating foreign aid to Pakistan until Bin Laden Informant’s is released Senator Rand Paul Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Sen. Rand Paul announced he will introduce new legislation to address the issue of Pakistan's imprisonment of Shakil Afridi for "treason" against Pakistan. Dr. Afridi provided key intelligence to the United States leading to the death of Osama bin Laden. Dr. Afridi risked his own life to help the U.S. military find and kill its most-wanted terrorist. Sen. Paul's bills will have two purposes. The first bill will strip Pakistan of all foreign aid until Dr. Afridi's recent 33-year prison sentence is overturned and he is allowed to leave Pakistan. The second bill would grant him U.S. citizenship for his efforts. "Pakistan must understand that they are choosing the wrong side. They accuse Dr. Afridi of working against Pakistan, but he was simply helping the U.S. capture the head of al Qaida. Surely Pakistan is not linking their interests with those of an international terrorist organization," Sen. Paul said. "Foreign aid has been an abysmal failure precisely for this reason - we give the aid to governments who then turn and work against our national interest. That must end," he continued. Sen. Paul's bills will be introduced as stand-alone legislation when the Senate returns next week, and he has announced his intention to secure votes as soon as possible on this important issue.
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Post by Press Release on Jun 13, 2012 4:57:39 GMT -5
Paul Introduces Bill to Protect Americans Against Drone Surveillance Senator Rand Paul Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Sen. Rand Paul introduced legislation into the Senate that protects individual privacy against unwarranted governmental intrusion through the use of the unmanned aerial vehicles commonly known as drones. The Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012 will protect Americans' personal privacy. "Like other tools used to collect information in law enforcement, in order to use drones a warrant needs to be issued. Americans going about their everyday lives should not be treated like criminals or terrorists and have their rights infringed upon by military tactics," Sen. Paul said. The Preserving Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act of 2012 also: 1. Prohibits the use of drones by the government except when a warrant is issued for its use in accordance with the requirements of the Fourth Amendment. 2. Includes the following exceptions: (1) patrol of national borders; (2) when law enforcement possesses reasonable suspicion that under particular circumstances, swift drone action is necessary to prevent "imminent danger to life;" (3) high risk of a terrorist attack 3. Allows any person to sue the government for violating this Act. 4. Specifies that no evidence obtained or collected in violation of this Act can be used/admissible as evidence in a criminal, civil, or regulatory action.
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Post by Press Release on Jun 19, 2012 20:39:05 GMT -5
Democrat controlled Senate votes to continue giving tax dollars to rich farmers Senator Rand Paul Press Release
The U.S. Senate today voted on a series of amendments to the 2012 Farm Bill, including an amendment introduced by Sen. Rand Paul that would limit payments and benefits listed in the bill to those entities with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $250,000 or less. The amendment failed, with a vote of 15-84. Nine percent of farmers earn more than $250,000 worth of gross income. This would limit their payments. Currently nine percent of farmers are receiving nearly a third of the benefits.
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Post by Press Release on Jun 21, 2012 11:03:52 GMT -5
Democrat Senate Votes to continue Job-Killing EPA Regulation Senator Rand Paul Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate voted through the Congressional Review Act on a resolution of disapproval to halt the Environmental Protection Agency's Utility MACT rule, which would shut down coal-fired power plants across the country. The resolution failed passage, 46-53. Prior to the vote, Sen. Rand Paul took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to vote in disapproval of this job-killing rule. Below is the video of his speech:
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Post by Press Release on Jun 28, 2012 23:04:58 GMT -5
Rand Paul Statement on Obamacare Ruling Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Following today's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare, Sen. Rand Paul offered the following statement: "Just because a couple people on the Supreme Court declare something to be 'constitutional' does not make it so. The whole thing remains unconstitutional. While the court may have erroneously come to the conclusion that the law is allowable, it certainly does nothing to make this mandate or government takeover of our health care right," Sen. Paul said.
"Obamacare is wrong for Americans. It will destroy our health care system. This now means we fight every hour, every day until November to elect a new President and a new Senate to repeal Obamacare," he continued.
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Post by Press Release on Jul 18, 2012 6:38:51 GMT -5
Paul Prepared to Demand Vote on Cutting Aid to Pakistan Senator Rand Paul Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. Rand Paul took to the Senate floor to announce his intention to force a Senate vote that, if passed, would strip Pakistan of all U.S. foreign aid until Dr. Shakil Afridi's recent 33-year prison sentence is overturned and he is allowed to leave Pakistan. Dr. Afridi's appellate hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 19. Last month, Sen. Paul sent a letter to President Obama urging a delay in the release U.S. financial aid to the government of Pakistan, and to hold all aid until Dr. Afridi is released. He also has introduced legislation, S.3269, which calls for the same action.
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Post by Press Release on Jul 20, 2012 8:24:41 GMT -5
Video and transcript of Senator Paul's floor speech
Paul Discusses Delay in Bin Laden Informant Trial Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Rand Paul today took to the Senate floor to discuss the imprisonment of Dr. Shakil Afridi, and his appellate hearing for today in Pakistan that was postponed indefinitely.
Dr. Afridi, a key figure in finding Osama bin Laden, is being held in a Pakistani prison on a 33-year sentence. According to news sources, his appellate hearing today was postponed, and local officials fear for Dr. Afridi's safety based on reports of serious threats from militant inmates in the same facility.
Last month, Sen. Paul sent a letter to President Obama urging a delay in the release U.S. financial aid to the government of Pakistan, and to hold all aid until Dr. Afridi is released. He also has introduced legislation, S.3269, which calls for the same action.
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Post by Press Release on Jul 25, 2012 21:40:01 GMT -5
Paul Statement on Democrats’ Tax Hike Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Rand Paul issued the following statement after a vote in the U.S. Senate on a Democrat proposed tax-hike plan: "It boggles the mind to think that now, during an economic recession, Senate Democrats put forth a plan to raise taxes on nearly a million business owners, farmers, ranchers, and families. Their idea of a tax plan includes damaging tax increases that would severely hurt small businesses and hike the estate tax from 35 percent to 55 percent. Fortunately for the American people, this tax bill is dead upon arrival, as our Constitution requires that all tax bills originate in the House of Representatives, and this one did not."
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Post by Press Release on Aug 21, 2012 18:44:02 GMT -5
Federal court says Obama EPA exceeded authority Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Sen. Rand Paul issued the following statement after a federal appellate court struck down the Cross State Air Pollution Rule and stated that the Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act in setting upwind pollution limits on states. "I am pleased to see that the court has confirmed that the Environmental Protection Agency exceeded their statutory authority in issuing the Cross-State Air Pollution rule. I offered a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval against this rule last year to protect the rights of states against this attempt by the EPA to raise energy costs and cut jobs at power plants. I will continue to use the resources at my disposal to fight against an out-of-control EPA overreach into the rights of states and the lives of citizens."
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Post by Press Release on Sept 11, 2012 19:39:45 GMT -5
Shakil Afridi
US giving aid to country that is torturing man that helped us kill Osama Bin Laden Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Today, Sen. Rand Paul issued the following letter to Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) regarding Dr. Shakil Afridi's detention in Pakistan and news reports that he has suffered extensive torture at the hands of the Pakistani government for his role in helping the U.S. get Osama bin Laden. Sen. Paul released the following statement today, underlining his desire to bring this issue to the floor of the Senate as soon as possible. "I will continue to work tirelessly to keep this issue front and center. America should not give foreign aid to a country whose government is torturing the man who helped us kill Osama bin Laden. We should not be giving foreign aid to any country that is not clearly our ally. This must end, and this week I will renew my push for a vote on this issue, including holding up Senate business to accomplish this goal," Sen. Paul said.
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Post by Press Release on Sept 17, 2012 16:09:17 GMT -5
Constitution DaySeptember 17
Rand Paul Statement on Constitution Day Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Today, Americans across the country honor and celebrate the 225th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution by our Founding Fathers on September 17, 1787. Sen. Paul issued the following statement to mark the occasion: "Today we celebrate Constitution Day. We celebrate the creation of the most brilliant blueprint for a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people" ever written. George Washington declared: "The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon." Patrick Henry stated prophetically that "the Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
"With the creation of the Constitution, our Founding Fathers clearly set forth the jurisdiction of the United States Congress in Article 1, Section 8. It is there that you can read the enumerated powers that spell out Congress's specific powers in relation to the states and to the people. The Founders intended that the powers of the federal government be limited to these specific powers with all other powers reserved to the states or to the people.
"I consider the abandonment of the founding principles of enumerated powers, limited government, and separation of powers to be the fundamental cause of the vast ills facing our nation today. The expansion of the federal government beyond its constitutionally granted powers has had many unintended and detrimental consequences. A careful reading of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers demonstrates just how far we have departed from the original intent of our Constitution.
"Another of our Founding Fathers, Samuel Adams, declared that "the liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our duty to defend them . . . . We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors. They purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood . . . ."
"Let us pause and reflect on the great blessings of liberty and freedom that our Founding Fathers enshrined in our Constitution, and the ways in which we all can work to help restore and uphold our freedom."
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Post by Press Release on Sept 21, 2012 18:03:58 GMT -5
Senate agrees to debate, vote to cut aid to Pakistan, Egypt and Libya Senator Rand Paul Press Release
After months of championing the issue of cutting aid to Pakistan and other actions against the interests of the United States, Sen. Rand Paul succeeded in his filibuster mission to bring his legislation to a vote. Sen. Paul's bill, S. 3576, calls for a prohibition of U.S. aid funds to the governments of Egypt, Libya and Pakistan contingent upon the release to U.S. authorities the aggressors who attacked our embassy and consulate in Egypt and Libya, respectively, and the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi, currently held by the Pakistani government. "In no way should the United States government be sending money to governments who are not our ally, who blatantly do not respect our country, and who work to compromise the safety of our allies and citizens abroad. I am pleased that the Senate leadership has listened to my pleas for an end to this and have agreed to debate and vote on this pressing issue," Sen. Paul said. In a series of Dear Colleague letters and direct correspondence to Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) over the past few weeks, Sen. Paul has indicated his intention to hold up all pending legislation before the Senate in a filibuster until his legislation was brought before the Senate to deliberate and vote.
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Post by Press Release on Oct 23, 2012 15:16:04 GMT -5
Sen. Paul Asks President Obama: Where Were the Marines?
Senator Rand Paul Press Release [/i] On Saturday, Sen. Rand Paul spoke at a gathering in New Hampshire, and had some strong questions for President Obama and his Administration's mishandling of the terrorist attack on the U.S. Embassy in Libya last month. Below is the transcript and a link to the video of his remarks. paul.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=625I have some questions and you get presidential candidates up here, so I want you to ask the President this when he comes up here: Where the hell were the Marines? In Libya, where were the Marines? There were no uniformed Marines guarding our ambassador? Where do you think the most dangerous embassy in the world is? It's got to be Libya or Iraq. In Iraq, I think they've got 17,000 people guarding the ambassador. They're not all Marines, but there's probably several hundred Marines, but there's a host of armed people guarding the ambassador. We have a fortress guarding the ambassador there. We didn't have any uniformed Marines? There was personnel, a 16-person security team. If the President comes up here, ask him: Why in the hell did you send them home? They specifically requested to stay. Col. Wood, who is head of the security team, says he sent the cables: I want to stay in Libya because it's unsafe and the ambassador is unsafe. The President says the buck stops here, ask him where in the hell were the Marines? Ask him, where the hell was that 16-person security team? And then finally ask him: What happened to the plane? There was a DC-3 there supposed to be able to help people out of the country or to move about the country, they took their plane. They took their plane on May 4 of this year. You know what happened on May 8 of this year, four days later? The State Department spent $108,000 buying a new electrical charging station to green up the Vienna embassy. So you have to ask yourself, is the green initiative, is the global warming campaign, more important than the security of an embassy? Greening up the Vienna Embassy. You know, the electric car, it's subsidized $250,000 per car. We probably spent $1 million to buy these electric cars to make a political statement in Vienna. We spent $100,000 for an electrical charging station to show off how green we were, but we wouldn't have one Marine guarding our embassy, we wouldn't allow 16 personnel to stay in Libya, we wouldn't allow them a plane, but we've got enough money to make a show of a very politicized agenda by the President. I think it's inexcusable and if he says the buck stops here, someone should be fired.
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Post by Press Release on Oct 28, 2012 13:34:24 GMT -5
Obama State Department spends money on electric cars, leave Ambassadors un-protected Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Senator Rand Paul issued the following statement regarding new information pertaining to the Obama Administration's mishandling of the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The more we learn about the response to the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, the more apparent it is that the Administration completely failed to adequately protect Americans in danger. They failed to provide a Marine detachment to defend our diplomatic facilities in Libya-one of the most dangerous places on the planet-and they failed to act when those facilities came under attack. Americans posted in Libya repeatedly expressed their concern to their superiors that it was unsafe and that they were not adequately protected. Where were the Marines?
The Consulate's annex in Benghazi was under siege for more than four hours, and this came after the first attack on the U.S. Consulate compound. Despite repeated requests for help, dozens of Americans were left to fend for themselves against heavily armed terrorists. With hours to respond, there was more than enough time to dispatch a Special Operations team from Sigonella Air Force Base in Sicily, but no attempt was made. And now, reports are coming out that CIA and special forces that may have been able to help were told to stand down and not intervene.
Four Americans were killed-including our Ambassador to Libya-but their lives might have been saved had we intervened. I ask again: Where were the Marines to protect American personnel in Libya?
Instead of sending Marines to defend Americans in danger, the State Department was focused on "greening" our Vienna Embassy and installing charging stations for its new electric cars.
Someone must be held accountable for this inaction. The American people and the families of those who were killed expect and deserve to know the truth behind the Administration's complete inaction and failure to protect its embassies and citizens abroad.
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Post by Press Release on Nov 5, 2012 6:26:07 GMT -5
Paul Demands Answers on Benghazi Consulate Protection Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Sen. Rand Paul issued the following statement regarding new information pertaining to reports that an August 16 cable requesting protection signed by Ambassador Chris Stevens and sent to the State Department may have been denied by Secretary Hillary Clinton. In his latest column, Patrick J. Buchanan outlines a timeline of events that indicate Obama administration officials may have denied protection requests in Benghazi. He wrote: "On Aug. 15, at the U.S. compound in Benghazi, an emergency meeting was convened to discuss the 10 Islamist militias and their training camps in the area, among them al-Qaida and Ansar al-Sharia.
"On Aug. 16, a cable went to the State Department describing the imminent danger, saying the compound could not defend itself against a "coordinated attack."
"The cable was sent to Hillary Clinton - and signed by Ambassador Chris Stevens.
"On Sept. 11, Ambassador Stevens died in a coordinated attack on the Benghazi compound by elements of Ansar al-Sharia and al-Qaida."
Sen. Paul offered the following statement in adjunct with the information being reported: "Administration officials, including Vice President Joe Biden, have repeatedly told us that more security was never requested in Libya. If this is false, and security was requested-and was denied-Administration officials must answer for this gross intelligence and security failure.
"If Ambassador Stevens signed a security request that was sent to Secretary Clinton, who subsequently denied that request, Secretary Clinton must answer these charges.
"The failure to protect our diplomats is an outrage and those who made bad decisions should either be fired or have their ability to make such decisions taken away from them. Someone must answer for the tragedy in Benghazi.
"The President has told us 'the buck stops here.' It's time for him to prove it."
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Post by Press Release on Nov 29, 2012 18:33:56 GMT -5
Rand Paul
Paul Voices Support for National Defense Authorization Act Amendment Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Sen. Rand Paul took to the Senate floor to voice his support for an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah). The amendment would invoke the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution with regard to indefinite detention of American citizens. Sen. Paul has indicated his intention to push for a vote on this amendment and has threatened to filibuster the NDAA bill until a vote is granted. Link to video and transcript of floor speech: paul.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=641
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Post by Press Release on Dec 5, 2012 12:20:06 GMT -5
Paul Speaks Against a "Rush to War" Senator Rand Paul Press Release
The U.S. Senate voted on Amendment No. 3245 to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would require a report on military activities to deny or significantly degrade the use the use of air power against civilian and opposition groups in Syria. Sen. Rand Paul voiced his opposition to the amendment, noting that Congress should not require the military to disclose its plans without debate nor should the amendment contain language authorizing the use of force. Despite Sen. Paul's arguments against this amendment, it passed 92-6. Moments before the vote, Sen. Paul took to the Senate floor to speak out against the amendment. Click below for a video and transcript of his floor speech: paul.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=650
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Post by Press Release on Dec 12, 2012 21:56:44 GMT -5
Sen. Paul Statement on Michigan Right to Work Law Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Sen. Rand Paul issued the following statement regarding Michigan's recently passed right to work legislation. "I offer my congratulations to the Michigan state legislature on their hard work on and passage of freedom in the workplace legislation, and to Gov. Rick Snyder for signing these bills into law, making Michigan the country's 24th Right to Work state," Sen. Paul said. "No one should be forced to join or pay dues in order to work. Voluntary associations will both preserve worker freedom and allow greater cooperation between employers and employees."
"This is good for Michigan taxpayers who share the goal of more efficient government and lower taxes - and it is just the thing Michigan needs to jumpstart their struggling economy. I support this goal on the national and state level, and look forward to Kentucky joining Michigan in the near future," he continued.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 16, 2012 6:37:05 GMT -5
Rand Paul
Paul Speaks On Senate Floor about Campaign to End Blindness Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Sen. Rand Paul joined Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) on the Senate floor to speak about the Sanford and Susan Greenberg Prize to End Blindness by 2020 and their "End Blindness by 20/20" campaign. An ophthalmologist by profession, Sen. Paul has worked closely with patients suffering from degenerative eye diseases that the Greenberg campaign seeks to eradicate. CLICK HERE TO WATCH SEN. PAUL ON THE SENATE FLOOR: paul.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=658
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Post by Press Release on Dec 19, 2012 17:13:53 GMT -5
John McCain-led NDAA Conference Committee Strips Right to Jury Trial Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Sen. Rand Paul issued the following statement regarding the newly released National Defense Authorization Act for 2013 (NDAA) conference report. The amendment, introduced by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) and which passed with a 67-29 vote on Nov. 29, was designed to guarantee Americans the right to due process and a jury trial. These are basic and core American legal privileges prescribed in our Bill of Rights, which have been observed since our nation's founding. Removing these indefinite detention protections now means that the NDAA is in violation of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution. "The decision by the NDAA conference committee, led by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to strip the National Defense Authorization Act of the amendment that protects American citizens against indefinite detention now renders the entire NDAA unconstitutional," Sen. Paul said.
"I voted against NDAA in 2011 because it did not contain the proper constitutional protections. When my Senate colleagues voted to include those protections in the 2012 NDAA through the Feinstein-Lee Amendment last month, I supported this act," Sen. Paul continued. "But removing those protections now takes us back to square one and does as much violence to the Constitution as last year's NDAA. When the government can arrest suspects without a warrant, hold them without trial, deny them access to counsel or admission of bail, we have shorn the Bill of Rights of its sanctity.
"Saying that new language somehow ensures the right to habeas corpus - the right to be presented before a judge - is both questionable and not enough. Citizens must not only be formally charged but also receive jury trials and the other protections our Constitution guarantees. Habeas corpus is simply the beginning of due process. It is by no means the whole.
"Our Bill of Rights is not something that can be cherry-picked at legislators' convenience. When I entered the United States Senate, I took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. It is for this reason that I will strongly oppose passage of the McCain conference report that strips the guarantee to a trial by jury."
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Post by Press Release on Dec 27, 2012 17:34:44 GMT -5
Sen. Paul Introduces Fourth Amendment Protection Act Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Today, Sen. Rand Paul took to the Senate floor to introduce and speak about his amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Act Reauthorization Act of 2012, H.R.5949. The amendment, known as the Fourth Amendment Protection Act and co-sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) extends Fourth Amendment guarantees to electronic communications and requires specific warrants granted through FISA courts in order to obtain this information. CLICK HERE TO WATCH PAUL DISCUSS HIS FISA AMENDMENT paul.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=668
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Post by Press Release on Dec 31, 2012 7:47:51 GMT -5
Paul Statement on Fiscal Cliff Negotiation Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Following discussions with his Senate colleagues on the current fiscal cliff negotiations, Sen. Rand Paul released the following statement. "It's impossible to get to any deal on the fiscal cliff when Majority Leader Reid and President Obama refuse to consider meaningful cuts in spending. They are demanding we raise taxes on working families and small businesses - and worse - using these tax increases for more government spending," Sen. Paul said. "Sending more taxpayer dollars to Washington isn't the solution to this situation; cutting wasteful government spending and enabling Americans to keep more of their own money is."
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Post by Press Release on Jan 3, 2013 21:54:26 GMT -5
Rand Paul
Sen. Paul Receives Committee Assignments for 113th Congress Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Rand Paul today received his updated committee assignments for the 113th Congress. He will remain on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Small Business, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees, as well as join the Foreign Relations Committee as a new member. "The committee assignments I have received will greatly benefit the legislation I plan on working on over the next two years to benefit the people of Kentucky, and our nation as a whole," Sen. Paul said.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 23, 2013 18:06:46 GMT -5
Sen. Paul Questions Secretary Clinton at Benghazi Hearing Senator Rand Paul Press Release
‘Had I been President, I would have relieved Secretary Clinton of her duties’
Sen. Rand Paul attended his first Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, which involved the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and the subsequent deaths of four Americans. Below is video of Sen. Paul's remarks and questions:
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Post by Press Release on Jan 24, 2013 16:41:48 GMT -5
Sen. Paul Introduces Default Prevention Act Senator Rand Paul Press Release
Sen. Rand Paul has introduced the Default Prevention Act, which would require the President to prioritize federal revenue to interest on the national debt. Since the current debt limit was reached on Dec. 31, 2012, it is expected that the extraordinary measures the U.S. Treasury has taken to continue funding the government will be exhausted before March. In order to remove any chance of government default, Sen. Paul's legislation spells out which government-funded programs should be held at the highest priority to continue funding, while paying down the interest and principal on debt held by the public. "Some of my Republican colleagues in the House have decided to surrender to the Democrats' annual plan to increase the debt ceiling. I believe we should stand and fight for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution before we raise the debt ceiling. My legislation takes the possibility of default off the table so we can continue to push for fiscal restraint. There is no reason the government would - or should - responsibly consider the idea of default," Sen. Paul said.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 29, 2013 17:33:32 GMT -5
Paul Statement on Sandy Supplemental Bill Senator Rand Paul Press Release
The U.S. Senate voted on a series of amendments to H.R.152, the Sandy Supplemental Appropriations Bill, to fund disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy. While the H.R.152 passed, with a vote of 62-36; the Lee Amendment No. 4 failed. Following the votes, Sen. Paul issued the following statement: "When Hurricane Sandy struck the eastern coast of the U.S., I agreed that we needed to assist those in the affected areas. However, this bill lacked any fiscal restraint or responsibility. The bill was completely unpaid for, adding billions to the debt with money being used for programs known to fund cultural festivals and public art exhibits. In addition, of the $60 billion in total disaster funding provided, only a small fraction will be spent this year; more than half will be spent after 2015. Furthermore, while the cost of this bill will never be offset, the government will still just have spent every dollar of this year's tax hike. We can help those in need, but we should do so providing them with only the resources they need today and prioritizing this funding by reducing spending elsewhere."
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Post by Press Release on Jan 31, 2013 22:21:09 GMT -5
Senate Votes on Paul Amendment to Prevent Sale of F-16s to Egypt Senator Rand Paul Press Release
The U.S. Senate voted on a series of amendments to H.R.325, the debt limit bill. Included in the amendment votes was one introduced by Sen. Rand Paul that would prohibit the U.S. government from selling F-16 military aircraft, M1 tanks, and similar military weapons to the Egyptian government. The amendment failed, 79-19.
Prior to the vote, Sen. Paul took to the Senate floor to discuss his amendment. See the video above.
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