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Rand Paul's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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Rand Paul did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • "The Life at Conception Act legislatively declares what most Americans believe and what science has long known- that human life begins at the moment of conception, and therefore is entitled to legal protection from that point forward," Sen. Paul said. "The right to life is guaranteed to all Americans in the Declaration of Independence and ensuring this is upheld is the Constitutional duty of all Members of Congress." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I strongly believe in the sanctity of life. I believe that life begins at conception and that abortion takes the life of an innocent human being. Under the 14th Amendment, it is the government's duty to protect life as defined in our Constitution." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • National Right to Life Committee rating of 100% (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Democrats know it is illegal to give small business loans to the big business, that is Planned Parenthood, but they are completely in the tank for taxpayer-funded abortions." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against SW 4132 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "I will continue to work tirelessly to balance our budget. I have introduced several balanced budgets in the Senate that would cut the debt, including my Penny Plans. Instead of celebrating balanced budgets we are faced with a weakened and teetering economy. It has to stop." (randpaul.com)
  • ThinkProgress "Paul's budget would raise the Social Security eligibility age and gives workers the option of private accounts, an idea that would demolish workers' savings during economic downturns. An October 2008 retiree, for instance, would have lost $26,000 in a private Social Security account during the Great Recession, according to one study. Paul's plan would also privatize Medicare, going a step farther than even Paul Ryan's House Republican budget did and driving up the cost of health care for seniors even more." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As Chicago and all America mourns the murder of Officer Ella French, voters need to 'just say no' to calls to defund the police!" (twitter.com)
  • "I believe that our criminal justice system is broken, and in need of major changes. We must focus on incarcerating violent offenders and protecting public safety, not filling our prisons with non-violent offenders. My REDEEM Act (Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment) will give Americans convicted of non-violent crimes a second chance at the American Dream. This legislation will help prevent kids who get into trouble from slipping into a lifetime of crime and help adults who commit non-violent crimes become more self-reliant and less likely to commit future crimes. These steps would reduce the cost to taxpayers of our criminal justice system and increase public safety." (randpaul.com)
  • "Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act to prohibit no-knock warrants, which allow law enforcement officials to forcibly enter a home without announcing their authority or purpose." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We have had Federal hate crime statutes for over 50 years, and it has been a Federal hate crime to murder someone because of his race for over a decade. Additionally, murder is already a crime in 50 States. In fact, rather than considering a good-intentioned but symbolic bill, the Senate could immediately consider addressing qualified immunity and ending police militarization." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Endless war weakens our national security, robs this and future generations through skyrocketing debt, and creates more enemies to threaten us. For over 19 years, our soldiers have gone above and beyond what has been asked of them in Afghanistan. It is time to declare the victory we achieved long ago, bring our troops home, and put America's needs first," said Dr. Paul." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted No on HR 6395 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted NO on S 1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted No on S 1 "Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6395 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 1 "Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • "In the new Congress, Republicans, the party of limited government, should propose legislation to eliminate the funding of wasteful projects--and focus on smart investments instead" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed a pledge stating "The purpose of our government is to exercise only those limited powers that have been relinquished to it by the people, chief among these being the protection of our liberties by administering justice and ensuring our safety from threats arising inside or outside our country's sovereign borders. When our government ventures beyond these functions and attempts to increase its power over the marketplace and the economic decisions of individuals, our liberties are diminished and the probability of corruption, internal strife, economic depression, and poverty increases." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "We must cut spending in all areas, particularly areas that are better run by state and local governments." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted no on HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted no on HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "I’m spearheading an effort in Congress to hold the Small Business Administration (SBA) accountable for reportedly sending federal funds to Planned Parenthood through Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans." (twitter.com)
  • "May 2020- @PPFA affiliates wrongfully apply for 38 PPP loans totaling more than $80 million. March 2021- Most @PPFA affiliates haven’t returned their PPP funds, requested by SBA, but two have applied for and been approved for a second draw loan." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "So inflation is an increase in the money supply. It is an increase in the money supply because they are buying the debt. So it is all related to spending. It is inexcusable that we will have no budget this year. It is inexcusable that the projection is for a trillion-dollar deficit in 1 year and yet there won't even be a budget plan. There will be no plan to try to make the deficit less or to try to manage our money. But with this debt comes inflation. We are suffering from the worst inflation we have had in 40 years. Who suffers the most from inflation? The working class, those who are on fixed income, those who are retired, they are getting creamed by this. People are spending over $100 filling up their gas tank now. This is a real problem." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Today @POTUS signed the poorly named Inflation Reduction Act. Not only will their Tax and Spend Act exasperate inflation, but it will raise taxes, raise gas prices, and supercharge the IRS against the middle-class." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Washington's addiction to spending is hurting our economy and depleting our currency. Inflation is stealing every American's purchasing power and financial security. And yet, no democrat or republican has produced a federal budget; my Six Penny Plan is the only one," said Dr. Paul. "My plan provides a commonsense solution for fiscal sanity. It puts our nation on track to balance the federal budget in the next five years, and it solves this inflationary and spending crisis that Congress created." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Excited to announce my plan to help alleviate student loan debt! The HELPER Act would allow individuals to use money from their 401(k) or IRA to pay for college or to pay back student loan debt. Watch the video to learn more!" (twitter.com)
  • "Instead of empowering the federal government to increase its involvement in education, which will only raise costs even higher and further lower the value of our dollars to cover them, we can empower the American people to reduce the burden of debt, realize the dreams they studied hard to achieve, and grow their retirement savings," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Paying off student loans under my plan, the HELPER Act, saves money AND helps provide for a more secure retirement. Check out this example to see how." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Has a 100% rating with American Energy Alliance in 2019-2020 (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Has a 100% rating with The National Mining Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating "Seeking to develop alternative energy technologies is a necessary goal in the long-term, but it is not sufficient for our nation's current and foreseeable needs." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Washington's bureaucratic regulations, corporate subsidies, and excessive taxation have made it unnecessarily difficult for energy developers to take advantage of new and innovative forms of cheap and clean energy. Cutting the red tape and encouraging energy freedom, new technologies, and discoveries will be a priority in my administration. Like all other sectors of the economy, allowing businesses to compete in a free market will not only produce the most efficient forms of energy, but will also pass along the cost savings to the consumer." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Allowing domestic oil, gas, and mining exploration to proceed, while encouraging the competitive development of alternative, renewable energy sources, advances our country's energy future. As a U.S. Senator, I am committed to doing what is not only best for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, but also the United States as a whole in developing a sound energy policy." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed a letter stating "With consumers again facing $4.00/gallon gasoline, the EPA is pursuing job-killing greenhouse gas regulations that, like the failed cap-and-trade legislation, will serve as an energy tax on every consumer. The Affordable Power Alliance recently studied the impacts of this action and found that the price of gasoline and electricity could increase as much as 50 percent. To make matters worse, the EPA acknowledges that unilateral action by the United States will have no impact on the world's climate, as China and India dramatically increase their emissions." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Decisions regarding greenhouse gas emissions and the power sector are major policy questions with vast economic and political significance. Only elected members of Congress, representing the will of the people, may decide these questions. The EPA's attempt to issue expansive regulations cannot stand in the absence of clear congressional authorization. Congress knows how to address greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, Congress has decided to pass transformative laws that incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from a wide range of industries, including the electric power sector," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 94% by Independent Petroleum Association of America. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "In the gun control debate, we all want more safety and less madness. But we must write legislation that targets the lawbreakers, not law-abiding gun owners. We must enforce current laws that are routinely ignored, instead of rushing to enact new laws that would do nothing to prevent these tragedies and would feasibly make the public more vulnerable." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I will not support any proposed gun control law which would limit the right to gun ownership by those who are responsible, law-abiding citizens." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted no on S Amdt 4720 - Prohibits the Transfer of Firearms to Suspected Terrorists - National Key Vote (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I believe that our entire Bill of Rights is at risk if we allow our Second Amendment to become a watered-down, second-tier "right." Our First Amendment is only as good as our second amendment. That’s why I will never back down when it comes to defending our right to bear arms. I will not give an inch. I will protect our right to defend ourselves and preserve our 2nd Amendment rights to the fullest extent." (randpaul.com)
  • "I believe that our entire Bill of Rights is at risk if we allow our Second Amendment to become a watered-down, second-tier “right.” Our First Amendment is only as good as our second amendment. That’s why I will never back down when it comes to defending our right to bear arms. I will not give an inch. I will protect our right to defend ourselves and preserve our 2nd Amendment rights to the fullest extent." (randpaul.com)
  • Voted against S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S Amdt 340 "Expanded and Improved Medicare For All Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Johnson amendment, which would help address concerns Dr. Paul has heard from Kentuckians about the House bill, would remove the paid leave mandate that will crush small businesses. Instead, the amendment allows for temporary enhancements to States' unemployment programs so that Americans who cannot work due to the coronavirus are protected with expanded unemployment benefits." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Response Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "As both sides debate the path forward on reforming our immigration system, the BE SAFE Act provides a constitutional answer that guarantees funding for our needs on the border without taking away from other priorities or increasing the burden on American taxpayers," (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I stand with President Trump on the need for a border wall and stronger border security, but the Constitution clearly states that money cannot be spent unless Congress has passed a law to do so." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S Amdt 1959 "Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment)" (votesmart.org)
  • "I do not support amnesty, but rather I support a legal immigration process. I recognize that our country has been enriched by those who seek the American Dream and have a desire for a better life. However, millions of illegal immigrants are crossing our border without our knowledge, and this threatens our national security." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S.744 "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted yes on S 2193 "Stop Illegal Reentry Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 2193 "Stop Illegal Reentry Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S.Amdt 1948 "Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment)" (votesmart.org)
  • "During my time in the Senate, I have seen our national debt grow to over $28 trillion, while the U.S. has continued to increase foreign aid by 70 percent over the last decade," said Dr. Paul. "It has always been my imperative to put America's interest first. This means focusing on funding critical infrastructure projects at home, rather than infrastructure in Afghanistan. My amendment aims to cut foreign aid across the board allowing for funds to be saved or redirected back to the taxpayers and spent on projects in their own communities." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Sanctions, though lacking in proof of effectiveness, are very popular with both parties. Embargoes, sanctions' big brother, also garner bipartisan enthusiasm. The U.S. embargo of Cuba has now endured for more than 60 years without any evidence of a change in regime or even a change in the regime's policy." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3364 "Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I hate to say I told you so but I told you so. I held up aid because: 1. We shouldn’t be spending the $ 2. If congress did approve it, a meticulous investigator would need to oversee YOUR $ being spent in Ukraine at a time when Americans can’t even afford gas or groceries" (twitter.com)
  • "While I sympathize with the people of Ukraine, and commend their fight against Putin, we cannot continue to spend money we don’t have. Passing this bill brings the total we’ve sent to Ukraine to nearly $54 billion over the course of two months." (twitter.com)
  • "I'm in favor of cutting taxes. I'll take the biggest tax cut we can pass, but I'm also certainly willing to compromise. I realize not everyone in my caucus wants a big, bold cut like I do. If all we are talking about is how much to cut taxes, I can assure you, they will have my vote, happily." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by FreedomWorks. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "We need a big, bold tax cut. My suggestions from among the ideas that I have championed and Donald Trump ran on are simple. First, cut the corporate tax rate. Ours is now the highest in the world at 35 percent. We should immediately cut it to 15 percent or less, putting us in line with other countries. Money and business go where they're welcome, and right now, that's not the United States. We can change that, and do it easily, while creating millions of new jobs. At that low rate, we can also eliminate deductions and loopholes, and make the tax simple and fair." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act. (votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Secretary Raimondo: "We write today to emphasize the importance of working to remove harmful retaliatory tariffs on distilled spirits and wine to promote free and fair trade between the United States, European Union and United Kingdom. These tariffs have negatively impacted the U.S. beverage alcohol sector and placed American producers at a severe competitive disadvantage in what had been a growing export market for them." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the Freedom to Import Infant Formula Act to permanently remove tariffs on baby formula and prohibit U.S. Customs and Border Protection from seizing or enforcing restrictions on importation of formula from certain foreign countries. This bill aims to alleviate current baby formula shortages across the United States, and permanently cut arbitrary regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)." (justfacts.votesmart.org)

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