Dear Friend,
This week,
I introduced multiple pieces of legislation to make government more
responsible with your tax dollars, including a bill to stop politicians from sending your money to Pakistan.
You can learn more in my latest update below!
Dr. Rand Paul Congratulates R.D. James on Confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
I was pleased to
congratulate Fulton County, Kentucky, native R.D. James this week on
his confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
"Read More"
Prior to Assistant Secretary James’ confirmation, I communicated my
ongoing efforts to address several current issues involving the Army
Corps and Kentuckians and asked for his assistance in resolving these
issues if he was confirmed.
I appreciate his
commitment to reviewing the specific issues with the Army Corps facing
the Commonwealth, such as those at Rough River Lake, Lake Cumberland,
and Western Kentucky’s small harbors, and I look forward to his
assistance in addressing these issues, as well as to working together to
ensure Kentucky’s land and waterways are not subject to overzealous
government regulation.
Dr. Rand Paul Introduces Bill to Fund Infrastructure by Ending Aid to Pakistan
We fail our
responsibilities to protect our country and properly steward taxpayers’
hard-earned money when we support countries that chant "Death to
America" and burn our flag.
Since entering
the Senate, I have worked to put Americans first by ending taxpayer
support to Pakistan, and I have also repeatedly urged the country
to reform laws that have led to the targeting of religious minorities,
including introducing S. Res. 109 last April to call on Pakistan to end
the unjust imprisonment of Pakistani Christian Aasiya Noreen, commonly
referred to as Asia Bibi.
I also recently
applauded the Trump administration for its decision to maintain its
block on sending $255 million in military aid to Pakistan. The State
Department built on this progress by announcing soon after that the U.S.
would suspend even more funding.
But we can go further. It's time to end the aid!
On Wednesday, I
introduced legislation to prohibit the Department of State and the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from sending
American taxpayer dollars to Pakistan.
Instead, the
bill would redirect those funds, amounting to $1.28 billion from the
State Department and $852 million from USAID, to the Highway Trust Fund.
U.S. Representatives Mark Sanford (South Carolina) and Tulsi Gabbard
(Hawaii) are introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House, and, earlier this month, I was encouraged to see President Trump tweet his support of my proposal!
Let’s bring this
money home and use it to help rebuild our infrastructure instead of
giving it to a nation that persecutes Christians and imprisons people
such as Dr. Shakil Afridi, the Pakistani doctor that helped us get Osama
bin Laden.
Dr. Rand Paul Introduces the Government Shutdown Prevention Act
Currently,
Congress does not face any consequences for failing to pass spending
bills on time. Without such motivation, Congress has demonstrated it
will pursue procrastination over prudence and risk shutdowns due to
impasses.
So on Thursday, I
introduced the Government Shutdown Prevention Act to incentivize
Congress to properly consider and debate spending legislation.
Instead of government shutting down operations over stalled funding in
the future, the bill would institute a one percent cut to then-current
funding levels for any agency, program, and activity that Congress
failed to fund by the start of the fiscal year (October 1).
Every 90 days after that deadline, funding would be reduced by another one percent if an agreement is still not enacted.
In addition to ensuring government honors its obligations, the
legislation will give agencies the certainty of knowing that, in a
worst-case scenario, they will always be able to operate with a full
year of funding at no less than 96 percent of their current levels.
I discussed the bill in my video update this week (which you can watch HERE),
where I also talked about our skyrocketing debt and noted that it is
"not only the process that's broken. It's spending that's broken and
out of control."
It is time for Congress to take its job seriously and get its act together on spending.
This legislation will stabilize our operations while imposing real restraints to push government toward fiscal responsibility!
You can read my Government Shutdown Prevention Act HERE.
Dr. Rand Paul Speaks to the Christian Student Leadership Conference
On January
22-26, the National Association of Evangelicals hosted the Christian
Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., and I had the honor
of addressing these future leaders, which included several students from
universities in Kentucky, on Tuesday.
During my talk, I
covered topics including the nature of government and our rights,
emphasizing that the best way to make a difference in society is to
maximize individual freedom and return as many functions as we can to
the local level.
You can watch my speech HERE.
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| (Dr. Paul at the Christian Student Leadership Conference - January 23, 2018) |
Dr. Rand Paul Meets with Frankfort Mayor William May
On Thursday, I
had an opportunity to sit down with Frankfort Mayor William May to talk
about the Department of Transportation’s TIGER grant program and
revitalizing the Second Street corridor.
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| (Dr. Paul with Frankfort Mayor William May - January 25, 2018) |
Media Wrap-Up
This week, I appeared on CNN's State of the Union and spoke with radio hosts including Leland Conway and Rich Zeoli.
Have an Issue or Concern?
If you are a
Kentucky resident and need assistance with a federal agency, please feel
free to contact my Bowling Green office at 270-782-8303. One of my
staff members will be more than happy to assist you.
Stay in Touch with Dr. Paul on Social Media
You can stay up to date on my latest news and activities by visiting my Senate website, www.paul.senate.gov, or my official Facebook and Twitter pages. You can watch my Senate floor speeches and press interviews at my YouTube channel HERE.
Warm Regards,
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