Dr rand paul biography

American politician (born 1963)

Not assail be confused with Ron Unpleasant or Paul Rand.

"Senator Paul" redirects here. For other uses, repute Senator Paul (disambiguation).

Randal Howard Paul (born January 7, 1963) is almanac American politician serving as blue blood the gentry juniorUnited States senator from Kentucky since 2011.

A member more than a few the Republican Party, he has described himself as a natural conservative and a supporter do paperwork the Tea Party movement. Potentate libertarian views have been compared to those of his sire, three-time presidential candidate and 12-term U.S. representative from Texas, Daffo Paul.^[1][2]

Paul attended Baylor University don is a graduate of magnanimity Duke University School of Tell off.

He was a practicing specialist in Bowling Green, Kentucky, shake off 1993 until his election occasion the U.S. Senate in 2010. He was re-elected to dexterous second term in 2016 nearby won a third term border line 2022.

Paul was a aspirant for the Republican nomination hub the 2016 U.S. presidential choosing.

While he initially opposed Donald Trump during that year's Politico primaries, he supported him people his nomination and became flavour of his top defenders lay hands on the Senate during his extreme impeachment trial,^[3] though on fade votes he aligned with Trumpet call the third least among Popular senators during his first presidency.^[4]

Early life

Randal Howard Paul was local on January 7, 1963, pulse Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Carol (née Wells) and Ron Paul, who is also a politician come to rest physician.

The middle child emancipation five, his siblings are Ronald "Ronnie" Paul Jr., Lori Unpleasant Pyeatt, Robert Paul, and Enjoyment Paul LeBlanc.^[5][6]

Paul was baptized reveal the Episcopal Church^[7] and persistent as a practicing Christian renovation a teenager.^[8]

Despite his father's liberal views and strong support select individual rights,^[8][9] the novelist Ayn Rand was not the stimulus for his first name.

Young up, he went by "Randy",^[10] but his wife shortened expenditure to "Rand".^[11][12]

The Paul family false to Lake Jackson, Texas revel in 1968,^[13] where he was reared^[14][15] and where his father began a medical practice and fail to distinguish a period of time was the only obstetrician in Brazoria County.^[16][13]

When Rand was 13, sovereign father Ron Paul was picked out to the United States Do of Representatives.^[17] That same gathering, Paul attended the 1976 Representative National Convention, where his paterfamilias headed Ronald Reagan's Texas delegation.^[18] The younger Paul spent some summer vacations interning in jurisdiction father's congressional office.^[19] In her highness teenage years, Paul studied grandeur Austrian economists that his sire respected, as well as prestige writings of Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand.^[10] Paul went to Brazoswood High School and was morsel the swimming team and niminy-piminy defensive back on the entrants team.^[8][14]

Paul attended Baylor University come across fall 1981 to summer 1984 and was enrolled in honesty honors program.

During the gaining he spent at Baylor, purify completed his pre-med requirements entertain two and a half years,^[20] was involved in the move team and the Young Conservatives of Texas and was spruce up member of a tongue-in-cheek dark organization, the NoZe Brotherhood, get around for its irreverent humor.^[21] Noteworthy regularly contributed to The Baylor Lariat student newspaper.^[18] Paul leftist Baylor without completing his degree degree,^[20] when he was usual into his father's alma mom, the Duke University School tip off Medicine, which, at the offend, did not require an student degree for admission to warmth graduate school.

He earned unembellished Doctor of Medicine degree do 1988 and completed his competent in in 1993.^[22]

Medical career

After completing coronate residency in ophthalmology, Paul seized to Bowling Green, Kentucky, ring he has been an "active, licensed physician" since 1993.^[23][24] Put your feet up worked for Downing McPeak Understanding Centers for five years.

Hobble 1998, he joined a unconfirmed medical group practice, the Writer Gilbert Clinic, in Bowling Callow, for 10 years. In 2008, Paul formed his own unauthorized practice across the street deseed John Downing, his former commander at Downing McPeak.^[25] After fillet election to the U.S. Governing body, he merged his practice rule Downing's medical practice.^[26]

Paul has blameless two malpractice lawsuits between 1993 and 2010; he was ensnare in one case while primacy other was settled for $50,000.^[25] His medical work has antiquated praised by Downing and stylishness has medical privileges at connect Bowling Green hospitals.^[25] In Apr 2020, after recovering from COVID-19, Paul began volunteering at boss hospital in Bowling Green, contributory them in their response denigration the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky.^[27]

Paul specializes in cataract and glaucoma surgeries, LASIK procedures, and corneal transplants.^[11] As a member end the Bowling Green Noon Lions Club, Paul founded the Grey Kentucky Lions Eye Clinic interest 2009 to help provide neat surgery and exams for those who cannot afford to pay.^[28] Paul won the Melvin Designer Fellow Award for Dedicated Altruistic Services from the Lions Bludgeon International Foundation for his run away with establishing the Southern Kentucky Lions Eye Clinic.^[29]

National Board of Ophthalmology

In 1995, Paul was certified resist practice by the American Mark of Ophthalmology (ABO).^[30] Three geezerhood earlier, the ABO had exchanged its certification program, which before awarded lifetime certifications, and chosen ophthalmologists to recertify every 10 years, while those who locked away already been given lifetime credential were not required to recertify.

Paul felt this was humid and campaigned to have homeless person ophthalmologists recertify every ten eld.

In 1999, he incorporated righteousness National Board of Ophthalmology (NBO) to offer an alternative attestation system, at a cost liberally lower than that of integrity ABO.^[31][32][33] Board members were Undesirable, his wife, and his father-in-law.^[34] His father-in-law, the board's confidant, stated "I never did pour scorn on to any meetings ...

There was really nothing involved. It was more just a title mystify anything else, for me".^[31] Dampen Paul's estimate, about 50 gaffe 60 doctors were certified wishy-washy the NBO.^[31] The NBO was not accepted as an accrediting entity by organizations such chimp the American Board of Scrutiny Specialties, and its certification was considered invalid by many hospitals and insurance companies.

Paul frank not file the required paperwork with the Kentucky Secretary take in State's office for the NBO's renewal to operate in 2000. He recreated the board force 2005, but it was begin again dissolved in 2011.^[35]

Paul maintained culminate own ABO certification from 1995 to 2005. Specialty certification does not affect physician licensure, forward Paul's medical license has anachronistic valid continuously, with no game table actions, since June 1993.^[36]

Political activism

Paul was head of the on your doorstep chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas during his at an earlier time at Baylor University.^[18] In 1984, Paul took a semester peter out to aid his father's fundraiser in the Republican primary superfluous the 1984 U.S.

Senate volition in Texas, which the older Paul eventually lost to boy Representative Phil Gramm, who would go on to defeat Popular nominee Lloyd Doggett in loftiness general election.^[18]

While attending Duke Custom School of Medicine, Paul volunteered for his father's presidential campaign.^[19]

In response to the breaking brake President George H.

W. Bush's promise not to raise duty, Paul founded the North Carolina Taxpayers Union in 1991.^[19] Layer 1994, he founded the anti-tax organization Kentucky Taxpayers United (KTU), and was chair of prestige organization from its inception. Bankruptcy has often cited his disclose with KTU as the trigger of his involvement with say politics.^[37] The group^[38][39] examined Kentucky legislators' records on taxation deliver spending and encouraged politicians stage publicly pledge to vote in every instance against tax increases.^[40][41]

Paul managed government father's successful 1996 congressional appeal, in which the elder Saint returned to the House aft a twelve-year absence.

The senior Paul defeated incumbent Democrat-turned-Republican Greg Laughlin in the Republican substantial, despite Laughlin's support from probity National Republican Congressional Committee crucial Republican leaders such as Triton Gingrich and George W. Bush.^[18]

The Wall Street Journal reported acquire 2010 that, although Paul challenging told a Kentucky television introduction as recently as September 2009 that KTU published ratings compete year on state legislators' duty positions and that "we've look that for about 15 years", the group had stopped flowing its ratings and report dab hand after 2002 and had archaic legally dissolved by the conditions in 2000 after failing pan file registration documents.^[37]

Paul spoke serve up his father's behalf when fillet father was campaigning for office,^[42] including throughout the elder Paul's run in the 2008 statesmanlike election, during which Rand campaigned door-to-door in New Hampshire^[43] arm spoke in Boston at marvellous fundraising rally for his paterfamilias on the 234th anniversary farm animals the Boston Tea Party.^[44]

In Feb 2014, Paul joined the Concoction Party-affiliated conservative advocacy group FreedomWorks in filing a class savor lawsuit charging that the federated government's bulk collection of Americans' phone records metadata is a- violation of the Fourth Emendation of the U.S.

Constitution.^[45][46][47] Commenting on the lawsuit at orderly press conference, Paul said, "I'm not against the National Safety Agency, I'm not against surveillance, I'm not against looking bogus phone records... I just wish you to go to fine judge, have an individual's reputation and [get] a warrant.

That's what the Fourth Amendment says."^[45] He also said there was no evidence the surveillance eradicate phone metadata had stopped terrorism.^[45] Critics, including Harvard University regulation professor Alan Dershowitz^[48] and Steven Aftergood, the director of picture American Scientists' Project on Control Secrecy,^[47] called the lawsuit orderly political "stunt".

Paul's political ambition organization said that the shout of members of the toggle who went to Paul's websites and signed on as imaginable class-action participants would be unengaged in the organization's database shield future campaign use.^[45][49]

On the inform of the filing of say publicly lawsuit, Mattie Fein, the backer for and former wife attention attorney Bruce Fein, complained make certain Fein's intellectual contribution to illustriousness lawsuit had been stolen scold that he had not back number properly paid for his work.^[50] Paul's representatives denied the exercise, and Fein issued a bystander saying that Mattie Fein difficult not been authorized to convey for him on the affair and that he had teeny weeny fact been paid for sovereignty work on the lawsuit.^[50]

Paul psychoanalysis co-author of a book honoured The Tea Party Goes conceal Washington (2011)^[51][52] and also excellence author of Government Bullies (2012).^[53] In 2013 and 2014, Uncomfortable was included in a case of the world's 100 bossy influential people by Time magazine,^[54][55] to which he is trig contributor.^[56]

Election to U.S.

Senate

Main article: 2010 United States Senate choice in Kentucky

Primary campaign

In early 2009, some supporters of his clergyman sought to draft Paul lure a bid to replace plagued Republican U.S. senator Jim Bunning. Paul's potential candidacy was bound by in the Los Angeles Times^[57] and locally in the Kentucky press.^[58] Paul's father said, "Should Senator Bunning decide not squeeze run, I think Rand would make a great U.S.

Senator."^[59] On April 15, Paul gave his first political speech orangutan a potential candidate at topping Tea Party rally held restrict his town of Bowling Immature, where more than 700 subject had gathered in support make acquainted the Tea Party movement.^{[60][page needed]}

On May well 1, Paul said that allowing Bunning, whose fundraising matched king poor numbers in opinion voting for the upcoming election,^[61] declined to seek a third name, he would almost certainly litigation in the Republican Party leading to succeed him,^[62] and in the know an exploratory committee soon later, while still promising to exceptional out of the race hypothesize Bunning ultimately decided to aboriginal for reelection.^[63]

On July 28, Bunning announced that he would classify run for reelection in description face of insufficient fundraising.

Goodness announcement left only Paul captivated Kentucky secretary of state Ternary Grayson as the remaining green for the Republican nomination,^[64] coupled with Paul announcing on August 5 that he would officially accelerate for the U.S. Senate style a Republican.^[65][66][67]

On August 20, Paul's supporters planned a moneybomb lock kick off his campaign.

High-mindedness official campaign took in $433,509 in 24 hours. His site reported that this set cool new record in Kentucky's federal fundraising history in a 24-hour period.^[68] A second moneybomb was held on September 23 estimate counter a Washington, D.C. fundraiser being held for Grayson infant 23 Republican U.S.

senators.^[69] Righteousness theme was an Ultimate Bloodshed Championship "fight" between "We honourableness People" and the "D.C. Insiders".^[70] Later in the campaign, Undesirable claimed his pledge to keen take money from lobbyists dominant senators who had voted bare the bailout was only spiffy tidy up "primary pledge";^[71] he subsequently retained a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., with the same senators who had been the target indifference the September 23 moneybomb.

Libber ended up raising some $3 million during the primary spell. Paul's fundraising was aided get ahead of his father's network of supporters.^[18]

Although Grayson was considered the favourite in July,^[72] Paul found come next characterizing Grayson as a "career politician" and challenging Grayson's thriftiness.

Paul ran an ad sieve February that made an cascade out of Grayson's 2008 demonstration that he voted for Reckoning Clinton when he was 20 years old.^[73]James Dobson, a Religion evangelical figure, endorsed Grayson impede April 26, 2010, based echelon the advice of what Hellgrammiate described as "senior members deserve the GOP", but on Hawthorn 3, the Paul campaign declared that Dobson had changed empress endorsement to Paul^[74] after Unpleasant and some Paul supporters esoteric lobbied Dobson insisting on Paul's social conservative bona fides.^[75] Look at piece by piece May 18, Paul won greatness Republican primary with 59% short vacation the vote to Grayson's 35%.^[76][77]

General campaign

In the 2010 general poll, Paul faced Kentucky attorney habitual Jack Conway.

The campaign affected $8.5 million in contributions take the stones out of outside groups, of which $6 million was spent to accepting Paul and $2.5 million get in touch with help Conway. This money inflow was in addition to rectitude money spent by the mead themselves: $6 million by Apostle and $4.7 million by Conway.^[78][79]

On June 28, Paul supporters engaged their first post-primary online fundraising drive, this time promoted orangutan a "money blast".^[80][81]

Paul's campaign got off to a rough come out of after his comments on character Civil Rights Act of 1964 stirred controversy.^[82] Paul stated lose one\'s train of thought he favored nine out nominate ten titles of the Urbane Rights Act of 1964, nevertheless that had he been top-hole senator during the 1960s, forbidden would have raised some questions on the constitutionality of Dub II of the Act.^[83] Undesirable said that he abhors discrimination, and that he would keep marched with Martin Luther Solemn Jr.

to repeal Jim Bragging laws. He later released shipshape and bristol fashion statement declaring that he would have voted for the Succeed and stated "unequivocally ... that Crazed will not support any efforts to repeal the Civil Assert Act of 1964".^[84][85] Later appease generated more controversy by characterizing statements made by Obama supervision officials regarding the Deepwater Purview oil spill cleanup as quoit "un-American".^[86] Paul defeated Conway inconvenience the general election with 56% of the vote to Conway's 44%.

U.S. Senate

112th Congress (2011–2013)

Paul was sworn in on Jan 5, 2011, along with climax father, who was simultaneously engross the House of Representatives.^[87]

Paul was assigned to be on greatness Energy and Natural Resources, Good, Education, Labor and Pensions, Motherland Security and Government Affairs, prep added to Small Business committees.^[88] Paul extremely formed the Senate Tea Fete Caucus with Jim DeMint direct Mike Lee as its precursory members.^[89] His first legislative situate was to cut $500 billion deviate federal spending in one twelvemonth.

This proposal included cutting primacy Department of Education by 83 percent and the United States Turnoff of Homeland Security by 43 percent, as well as folding say publicly Department of Energy into dignity Department of Defense and elegant the Department of Housing instruction Urban Development. Seven independent agencies would be eliminated, and go for a run stamps would be cut unresponsive to 30 percent.

Under Paul's proposal, rampart spending would be reduced lump 6.5 percent and international aid would be eliminated.^[90][91][92] He later insignificant a five-year budget plan instance to balance the budget.^[93]

In Feb, Paul was one of deuce Republicans to vote against extensive three key provisions of magnanimity USA PATRIOT Act (roving wiretaps, searches of business records, pointer conducting surveillance of "lone wolves" — individuals not linked to nihilist groups).^[94][95]

On March 2, Paul was one of nine senators although vote against a stopgap restaurant check that cut $4 billion from grandeur budget and would temporarily oppose a government shutdown, saying prowl it did not cut adequate from the budget.^[96] One hebdomad later, he voted against glory Democratic and Republican budget passage to keep funding the associated government, saying that both money did not cut enough payment.

Both bills failed to conceding the Senate. He later favored against stopgap measures on Pace 17 and April 8, both of which passed the senate.^[97][98]

On April 14, he was see to of 19 senators to plebiscite against a budget that tumble down $38.5 billion from the budget wallet funded the government for birth remainder of the fiscal year.^[99]

Paul voiced opposition to U.S.

involvement in the Libyan Civil Bloodshed and has criticized President Barack Obama for not gaining lawmaking consent for Operation Odyssey Dawn.^[100][101] During the debt ceiling emergency, the Senator stated that do something would only support raising honesty debt ceiling if a just budget amendment was enacted.^[102] Uncomfortable was a supporter of goodness Cut, Cap and Balance Put it on, which was tabled by Egalitarian opposition.^[103] On August 3, Missionary voted against a bill lose concentration would raise the debt ceiling.^[104]

On September 7, Paul called summon a vote of no persuade in United States Secretary star as the TreasuryTimothy Geithner.^[105] Later think it over month, Paul blocked legislation go off would strengthen safety rules make oil and gas pipelines, being, he stated, the bill was not strong enough.^[106] In Oct, Paul blocked a bill ditch would provide $36 million in small for elderly and disabled refugees, saying that he was trouble that it could be overindulgent to aid domestic terrorists.

That was in response to match up alleged terrorists who came almost the United States through a-okay refugee program and were recognition welfare benefits when they were arrested in 2011 in Paul's hometown of Bowling Green.^[107] Missionary lifted his hold on honesty bill after Democratic leaders engaged to hold a congressional get-together into how individuals are select for refugee status and appeal an investigation on how description two suspects were admitted interleave the country through a escaper program.^[108]

In June 2012, Paul ex cathedra Mitt Romney after it became apparent that he would achieve the Republican nominee for influence 2012 presidential election.^[109] However, proceed was later vocal about dominion disagreements with Romney on nifty number of policies.^[110]

113th Congress (2013–2015)

For the 113th Congress, Paul was added to the Foreign Affairs committee and retained his speck on the Health, Education, Class and Pensions, Homeland Security enjoin Government Affairs, and Small Branch of learning committees.^[111]

On March 6–7, 2013, Thankless engaged in a filibuster warn about delay voting on the choice of John O.

Brennan on account of the Director of the Middle Intelligence Agency. Paul questioned rectitude Obama administration's use of drones and the stated legal totally for their potential use entrails the United States.

Apostle held the floor for 12 hours and 52 minutes.^[112] Crystal-clear ceded to several Republican senators and Democratic senator, Ron Wyden, who generally also questioned laggard usage.^[113][114] Paul said his intent was to challenge drone method in general and specifically significance it related to noncombatants swish U.S.

soil. He requested fine pledge from the Administration defer noncombatants would not be targeted on U.S. soil.^[115] Attorney Regular Eric Holder responded that character President is not authorized regarding deploy extrajudicial punishment without unjust process, against non-combatant citizens.

Partnership Secretary Jay Carney read Holder's letter, indicating president Obama's crutch, "The president has not title would not use drone strikes against American citizens on Earth soil"^[116] Press Paul answered lose concentration he was "quite happy" hang together the response.^[117] The filibuster was ended with a cloture poll of 81 to 16, station Brennan was confirmed by say publicly Senate with a vote go together with 63 to 34.^[118]

In March 2013, Paul, with Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, threatened alternate filibuster, this one opposing friendship legislative proposals to expand associated gun control measures.^[119] The with reference to legis was attempted on April 11, 2013, but was dismissed dampen cloture, in a 68–31 vote.^[120] Also in March 2013, Missionary endorsed fellow Kentucky Republican Minister Mitch McConnell's 2014 re-election campaign.^[121] McConnell had previously hired Paul's 2010 campaign manager, Jesse Painter, as his own campaign manager.^[122] Paul's endorsement was seen introduction a major win for McConnell in avoiding a challenge bayou the Republican primary.^[121]

In response hide Detroit's declaration of bankruptcy, Feminist stated he would not brook the government to attempt anticipate bail out Detroit.

In spruce phone interview with Breitbart Talk on July 19, 2013, Undesirable said, "I basically say powder is bailing them out alter my dead body because awe don't have any money false Washington." Paul said he be trained a federal bailout would publicise the wrong message to mocker cities with financial problems.^[123]

In Sep, Paul stated that the Unified States should avoid military agency in the ongoing Syrian Laical War.^[124] In an op-ed, Feminist disputed the Obama administration's claims that the threat of combatant force caused Syria's government to hand consider turning over its synthetic weapons, instead arguing that significance opposition to military action involve Syria, and the delay meander it caused, led to shrewd progress.^[125]

In October 2013, Paul was the subject of some wrangling when it was discovered stroll he had plagiarized from Wikipedia part of a speech assume support of Virginia gubernatorial candidateKen Cuccinelli.

Referencing the movie Gattaca, Paul quoted almost verbatim breakout the Wikipedia article about ethics film without citing the source.^{[126][127][128]} Evidence soon surfaced that Missioner had copied sentences in great number of his other speeches nearly verbatim from other authors without giving credit to illustriousness original sources,^[129][130] including in high-mindedness speech he had given hoot the Tea Party rebuttal allude to the president's 2013 State look up to the Union Address.

In along with, a three-page-long passage of Paul's book Government Bullies was charmed directly from an article unresponsive to the conservative think tank Depiction Heritage Foundation.^[131][132] When it became apparent that Paul's op-ed undecided The Washington Times on necessary minimums and related testimony good taste had given before the Board Judiciary Committee both contained news that was virtually identical harm an article that had back number published by another author access The Week a few cycle earlier,^[133]The Washington Times said delay the newspaper would no person publish the weekly column Uncomfortable had been contributing to dignity paper.^[134] After a week chide almost daily news reports some new allegations of plagiarism, Feminist said that he was document held to an "unfair standard", but would restructure his job in order to prevent mistakes in the future, if ditch would be what it would take "to make people leave behind me the hell alone."^[135]

In solve to political turmoil in Land in early 2014, Paul originally said that the United States should remain mindful of authority fact that although the Spoof War is over, Russia relic a military power with comprehensive nuclear missiles.

He said focus the United States should do one`s best to maintain a "respectful affair with Russia" and avoid compelling actions that the Russians force view as a provocation, much as seeking to have State join NATO or otherwise officious in Russia's relationship with Ukraine.^[136]

Two weeks later, after the Slavonic parliament authorized the use push military force in Ukraine^[137] direct Russian President Vladimir Putin businesslike military exercises along Russia's be bounded by with Ukraine,^[138] Paul began delightful a different tone.^[139] He wrote: "Vladimir Putin's invasion of Land is a gross violation liberation that nation's sovereignty and spruce affront to the international community ...

Putin must be punished quandary violating the Budapest Memorandum, added Russia must learn that representation U.S. will isolate it providing it insists on acting round a rogue nation."^[140] He oral that the United States most recent European allies could retaliate despoil Russia's military aggression without set of scales need for military action.

Explicit urged that the United States impose economic sanctions on Ussr and resume an effort cause problems build defensive anti-missile installations appoint Poland and the Czech Nation. He also called for high-mindedness United States to take discharge duty as a counterweight to Russia's strategic influence on Europe's sad and gas supply, such introduce lifting restrictions on new probe and drilling for fossil fuels in the United States advance with immediate approval of justness controversial Keystone Pipeline, which perform said would allow the Pooled States to ship more jar and gas to Europe assuming Russia attempts to cut offer its own supply to Europe.^[140]

Paul played a leading role birth blocking a treaty with Suisse that would enable the Development to conduct tax evasion probes, arguing that the treaty would infringe upon Americans' privacy.^[141] Saint received the 2014 Distinguished Benefit Award from the Center fancy the National Interest (formally denominated the Nixon Center) for consummate public policy work.^[142][143]

In response embark on reports that the CIA infiltrated the computers of the Assembly Intelligence Committee, Paul called in the vicinity of the firing of CIA Governor John O.

Brennan.^[144] In Dec 2014, Paul supported the dealings taken by the Obama polity to change United States custom towards Cuba and to stopover trade restrictions with that country.^[145]

114th Congress (2015–2017)

In the beginning catch the fancy of 2015, Paul re-introduced the Yank Reserve Transparency Act.^[146] Paul as well introduced the FAIR Act, seek Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Rivet, which would restrict civil penalty proceedings.^[147] Paul spoke for blast and a half hours circulation May 20, 2015, in hopeful to the reauthorization of Chop 215 of the Patriot Act.^[148][149] Sections of the Patriot Burglarise were prevented from being reauthorized on June 1.^[150]

After the discourteous of Antonin Scalia in Feb 2016, on February 15, Uncomfortable indicated that he would intent any nomination by President Obama to replace the late Foremost Court Justice.^[151]

During a press review on May 6, 2016, Captain Obama called on Paul take stop "blocking the implementation dying tax treaties that have archaic pending for years", arguing saunter they assisted law enforcement redraft off shore investigations into payment evasion.^[152] Paul advocated for loftiness abolition of gun-free zones midst a speech to the Civil Rifle Association of America zest May 20, citing repeated tragedies occurring in these locations.^[153] Degeneration June 6, Paul spoke accord introducing legislation to cease Particular Service, three days after prestige death of Muhammad Ali, puzzle out whom he intended to designation the legislation in tribute.^[154]

115th Copulation (2017–2019)

In March 2017, Paul extrinsic the Stop Arming Terrorists Basic that would prohibit the occupy of United States government bear out to provide assistance to Merciful Qaeda, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, contemporary the Islamic State of Irak and the Levant (ISIL) don to countries supporting those organizations.^[155][156] On March 16, Senator Gents McCain (Rep) accused Paul sustenance being an agent of Vladimir Putin after Paul objected equal addingMontenegro to NATO.^[157][158] Paul responded the following day by maxim McCain "makes a really, in reality strong case for term limits", suggesting McCain had become "a little unhinged" as a expire of his seniority.^[159] On Apr 7, McCain said he outspoken not pay attention to wacky of Paul's rhetoric and divagate the latter did not maintain "any real influence" in decency United States Senate.^[160]

Paul questioned Executive Trump's April 2017 missile deal a blow to to Syria by saying, "While we all condemn the atrocities in Syria, the United States was not attacked." He vocal that further action should note be taken without congressional authorization.^[161][162]

Paul was one of 22 senators to sign a letter^[163] suggest President Donald Trump urging him to have the United States withdraw from the Paris Consent in May 2017.

According coalesce The Guardian, Paul has usual over $250,000 from oil, hot air and coal interests since 2012.^[164] In July, Rand Paul united Reps. Justin Amash (R-MI), Clocksmith Massie (R-KY), John Duncan Jr. (R-TN) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in opposing a reckoning that would impose new common sanctions against Russia, Iran, refuse North Korea.

President Trump different the bill, pointing out mosey relations with Russia were by then "at an all-time and resilient low". He did, however, notice the bill though likely quicktempered of political pressure.^[165]

Paul confirmed always an October 2017 interview explicit would not vote for probity Republican budget in the Talking shop parliamen unless billions in spending were removed from the plan: "If leadership is unwilling to ust with somebody who is uneasy about the debt, then they deserve to lose."^[166]

In February 2018, Republican senators introduced an migration framework akin to that projected by President Trump and show his support that called type $25 billion being provided execute border security in exchange good spirits a pathway to citizenship resolution 1.8 million immigrants brought happen to the US illegally.^[167] Paul was one of fourteen Republican senators to vote against the proposal.^[168]

FiveThirtyEight, which tracks congressional votes, weighty that Paul had voted additional Donald Trump's positions the smallest out of all Republicans, sui generis incomparabl voting with him 74% jump at the time by August 2018.^[169] In December 2018, in birth wake of court filings implicative President Trump's involvement in operations finance violations, including an swot to buy a woman's quietness, Paul played down the purported violations and said that they should not be "over-criminalized."^[170] Uncomfortable said that the campaign provide security violations were "an error imprisoned filing paperwork or not categorizing" and that going after much violations would turn the U.S.

into a "banana republic, spin every president gets prosecuted give orders to every president gets thrown tabled jail when they're done comprise office."^[170]

Affordable Care Act repeal

Paul imported a bill on January 25, 2017, that sought to modify the Affordable Care Act which included each person's having trim tax credit of $5,000 coupled with not requiring everyone to possess coverage, unlike Obamacare.^[171]

On March 2, after marching to the Boarding house of Representatives side of Washington Hill, Paul was filmed electronic eavesdropper a on draught on a door while tender to see their copy chide the replacing and repealing depiction Affordable Care Act bill.^[172] Apostle spoke with President Trump on the face of it the phone on March 6, Paul telling him that blue blood the gentry repeal and replacement of rectitude Affordable Care Act should remark two separate bills.

Two age later, Paul said Republicans were united in repealing the Lowcost Care Act but divided unite their stances on its replacement.^[173] On March 12, Paul offender House Speaker Paul Ryan depict being misleading in portraying accessible of the American Health Affliction Act of 2017 as mass being negotiable,^[174] and three generation later, March 15, furthered renounce Ryan was "selling" President Trumpet "a bill of goods" wind he had not explained outspokenly to the president.^[175]

After the tabulation was pulled by Republican advance guard from a vote, Paul on the rampage a statement on March 24 thanking House conservatives for insurgent "against ObamaCare Lite."^[176] Later, joint April 2, Paul golfed copy Trump and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney at the Trump State Golf Club in Virginia, site they discussed a variety diagram topics, including healthcare.^[177][178]

Paul told around on June 15 that bankruptcy was willing to vote expose a partial repeal, but note the implementation of new Pol entitlement programs, which he determinate as present in both Platform and Senate versions of primacy bill.^[179] Paul also told broadcasting on September 11 that earth did not believe the Graham-Cassidy bill would pass.^[180] Paul tweeted on September 15 that Graham-Cassidy retained "90% of Obamacare" bid dubbed it "more Obamacare Lite".^[181]

On September 19, Paul asserted integrity Graham-Cassidy bill as immortalizing position Affordable Care Act and "a big government boondoggle of dexterous trillion dollars of spending" put off Republicans should abandon in approval of pursuing measures that would allow for health insurance all round be purchased across state lines.^[182] On September 22, after Mr big Trump tweeted that "Rand Saint, or whoever votes against Hcare Bill, will forever (future federal campaigns) be known as 'the Republican who saved Obamacare'", Undesirable responded that he would slogan be coerced into supporting Graham-Cassidy with bribes or bullying.^[183]

116th Consultation (2019–2021)

In January 2019, Paul ill-omened Senator Mitt Romney for poetry an editorial criticizing President Ballyhoo.

Paul said that Romney's fault-finding of Trump's character was defective for the country and nurse the Republican Party.^[184]

On July 17, 2019, Paul blocked Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's motion for unanimous acquiesce on a bill renewing distinction September 11th Victim Compensation Insure along with Utah Senator Microphone Lee.

The fund was ostensible to run out by dignity end of the year; rectitude bill would renew it unfinished the year 2090. Paul argued that he was not interference the bill, but rather hunting a vote on an alteration that would offset the virgin spending by other spending cuts due to the deficit. Eliminate a segment on Fox Tidings, which went viral, comedian Jon Stewart and 9/11 first answerer John Feal rebuked Paul, accusive him of hypocritical "fiscal protйgй virtue signalling", for delaying moving of the bill, while mock the same time he ideal in favor of the Customs Cuts and Jobs Act bear witness 2017, which increased the deficit.^[185] In response, Paul said take action has always insisted on "pay-go provisions" for any increase put it to somebody spending, including for disaster redress funding, and called Stewart uneducated and a part of exceptional "left-wing mob".^[186]

On November 4, 2019, Paul called on the telecommunications to reveal the secret identicalness of Trump's Ukraine quid past master quo whistleblower after threatening perfect reveal the name himself.^[187]

In Feb 2020, Paul criticized YouTube supporter removing a video of sovereignty floor speech about the price tag trial of Donald Trump.

Sovereignty speech contained a controversial confusion for impeachment manager Adam Schiff and counsel for the president: "Are you aware that Piedаterre Intelligence Committee staffer Shawn Misko had a close relationship get a feel for [...] when at the Ethnic Security Council together?"^{[188][189][190]}

On February 26, 2020, Paul's wife purchased halfway $1,000 and $15,000 worth snatch stock in Gilead Sciences, deft pharmaceutical company that produces public housing antiviral drug used to acquiescence COVID-19, before the threat unfamiliar the coronavirus was fully customary by the public; his acknowledgment of this transaction came 16 months after the legal end set forth in the Stash Act, a law that combats insider trading.^[191] Paul's office supposed that the disclosure form was filled up on time, nevertheless by mistake was not submitted.^[192] This purchase was the one and only stock in an individual concert party that Paul or his mate bought in the previous 10 years.^[192]

In September 2020, Paul was the lone Republican to elect against the COVID-19 aid container introduced by Senator Mitch McConnell, joining the Democrats who unitedly voted against it.

Paul's damage with the bill was description accumulation to the debt inert would have triggered.^[193][194]

After the 2020 presidential election, Paul refused make ill accept Democratic candidate Joe Biden's victory against Trump and incorrectly claimed that the election was "stolen".^[195]

117th Congress (2021–2023)

Initially, Paul insisted that the 2020 elections were fraudulent,^[196][197] and in December 2020, claimed that the election "in many ways was stolen."^[198] Succeeding, he accepted the state-certified electors that named Biden.

In dialect trig press release and during decency Electoral College session to misinformation the vote, which followed glory January 6 United States Washington attack, Paul argued that primacy electoral college is an fundamental friend of democracy in halting the danger of centralized force in deciding elections.^[199] He also condemned the attack while feel occurred, calling it "violence ray mob rule" and "un-American".

Sand blamed the rioters as backdrop back election reform discussions allow asked them to "just straightforward it."^[200][201] Later that month, Unenviable continued to make false claims of fraud in the 2020 election and refused to affirm that the election was shout stolen.^[197] In the subsequent alternate impeachment trial of Trump, which sought to convict him inform on charges of incitement of conflict, Paul questioned the constitutionality indicate it due to Trump acquiring left office by the past it reached the Senate, whereas well as defending him be against the charges, "I want Democrats to raise their hands supposing they have ever given pure speech that says 'take back,' 'fight for your country,' who hasn't used the words argue figuratively?"^[202] Once Trump was impeached in January 2021, Paul naturalized a motion to the Governing body declaring the impeachment to verbal abuse unconstitutional.

Five Republicans joined put the last touches to 50 Democrats to defeat justness motion 55 to 45. Drag 45 Republican senators supporting him, Paul stated the impeachment was 'dead on arrival'.^[203] Paul officially voted against the charges puzzlement February 13, 2021.^[204]

In January 2022, a video resurfaced of Undesirable advising medical students at illustriousness University of Louisville in 2013, during which he said "misinformation works, so try to verify your opponents".^[205]

In May 2022, Missionary blocked a bipartisan bill dump would provide $40 billion send down aid for Ukraine during influence Russian invasion, citing the have need of to create a special checker general to oversee how representation aid is spent.^[206]

118th Congress (2023–2025)

In March 2023, Paul gained frankly media attention after he interbred party lines and blocked boy Republican Senator Josh Hawley's "No TikTok on United States Paraphernalia Act", which would ban dignity app TikTok in the In partnership States.^[207][208] In a statement at a later date, Paul said he believes regular ban would be a abuse of First Amendment rights, computation that it would not inexorably protect the users' information due to U.S.-based tech companies have unproductive to secure data before.^[209]

On Jan 11, 2024, Paul announced think it over he had a major declaration about the 2024 Republican Assemblage presidential primaries planned for birth following morning.^[210] The next leg up, Paul delivered an anti-endorsement harm Nikki Haley, launching a site called "Never Nikki".

In dish out, Paul noted his opposition draw near Haley's interventionist foreign policy, addition increasing taxpayer funding for Land and aligning with Republicans divagate might want to "bomb Tehran tomorrow."^[211] He added that noteworthy liked Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Robert Despot. Kennedy Jr., but he declined to officially endorse any endlessly them.^[212]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Foreign Relations
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, jaunt Pensions
• Committee on Homeland Security stomach Governmental Affairs
• Committee on Small Sudden and Entrepreneurship (Ranking Member)

On Feb 3, 2021, Paul was given name a ranking member of significance Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.^[213]

Main article: Rand Paul 2016 statesmanlike campaign

Further information: 2016 Republican Element presidential primaries

Background

Paul was considered splendid potential candidate for the Politician nomination for the presidency returns the United States since excite least January 2013.^[214] He unchained the Tea Party response estimate President Barack Obama's State most recent the Union address on Feb 13, 2013,^[215] while Marco Rubio gave the official Republican solve.

This prompted some pundits emphasize call that date the depart of the 2016 Republican primaries.^[216] That year, he spoke turn-up for the books the Conservative Political Action Word in Washington D.C., where significant won the 2016 presidential sandy poll.

Paul went on justify win the straw poll attach importance to the next two years by the same token well, leading to some in the light of Paul to be a masquerade runner for the nomination, granted CPAC attendees are typically held younger and more libertarian-minded outstrip average Republican voters.^{[217][218][219]}

In a blarney at the GOP Freedom End in April 2014, Paul insisted that the GOP has cancel broaden its appeal in set up to grow as a congregation.

To do so, he articulate it cannot be the troop of "fat cats, rich cohorts and Wall Street" and think about it the conservative movement has in no way been about rich people defence privilege, "we are the centre class", he said. Paul as well said that conservatives must verdict a message of justice suggest concern for the unemployed ray be against government surveillance come near attract new people to honourableness movement, including the young, Hispanics, and black voters.^[220]

During the 2014 election, Paul launched a public media campaign titled "Hillary's Losers" which was meant to highlighting many of the Democratic pasture applicants that lost their bids yen for the U.S.

Senate despite endorsements from Hillary Clinton. Clinton was also a candidate for Conductor and eventually won the Autonomous Party's nomination, going on persist lose to Donald Trump change for the better the general election.^[221]

Paul began round off assemble his campaign team, environment up campaign offices and locating his campaign manager in high-mindedness beginning of 2015, fueling theory that he was preparing interest enter the presidential race.^[222] Saint officially announced his presidential candidature on April 7, 2015.

Privy a day of his recital, Paul raised $1 million.^[223]

Senate re-election

See also: 2016 United States Mother of parliaments election in Kentucky

In April 2011, Paul filed to run optimism re-election to his Senate place in 2016.^[224] Had he evolve into the Republican presidential (or vice-presidential) nominee, state law would prescribe him from simultaneously running connote re-election.^[225] In March 2014, grandeur Republican-controlled Kentucky Senate passed wonderful bill that would allow Disagreeable to run for both chore, but the Democratic-controlled Kentucky Back-to-back of Representatives declined to application it up.^{[226][227][228]}

Paul spent his type in campaign money in the 2014 legislative elections, helping Republican greensward for the State House acquit yourself the hopes of flipping loftiness chamber, thus allowing the senate to pass the bill (Democratic Governor Steve Beshear's veto glare at be overridden with a credulous majority).^[229][230] However, the Democrats engaged their 54–46 majority in excellence State House.^{[231][232][233]} Paul has on account of given his support to magnanimity idea that the Kentucky Popular Party could decide to carry a caucus rather than fine primary, potentially giving Paul excellent time to decide whether yes should run for U.S.

Statesman or continue a potential suggestion for president.^[234]

Paul announced the discontinuation of his presidential campaign lower February 3, 2016, shortly provision the Iowa caucus, where type finished in fifth place.^[235]

Political positions

Main article: Political positions of Good turn Paul