Who is Rand Paul?
Rand Paul has represented Kentucky in the US Senate since 2011 and has chaired the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee since 2025. Born in Pittsburgh, he is the son of former Texas congressman and Libertarian presidential candidate Ron Paul. He trained in medicine at Duke University and practiced as an eye surgeon in Bowling Green before winning his seat with Tea Party support in 2010. He sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. He describes himself as a constitutional conservative and often votes against his party on spending, surveillance, trade and war powers. He said in 2026 that his chances of running for president in 2028 were about even and that he would decide after the midterms.
Previously: Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (since January 2025) · Candidate for the Republican presidential nomination (2015-2016) · Ophthalmologist in Bowling Green, Kentucky (from 1993)
Documented positions
- Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025, one of three Republicans to do so, as the Senate passed it 51-50.Source: senate.gov
- Was the only Republican to oppose the Senate's February 2025 budget resolution for the party's agenda.Source: nbcnews.com
- Co-sponsored a resolution with Democrat Tim Kaine to end the emergency behind tariffs on Canada, which passed the Senate 51-48 in April 2025.Source: reason.com
- Blocked fast-track passage of a $40 billion Ukraine aid bill in May 2022, demanding a special inspector general to oversee the spending.Source: cnn.com
- Said in June 2025 that it was not the job of the United States to be involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran.Source: nbcnews.com
- Pressed Senate leaders in 2018 to bring the First Step Act criminal justice reform bill to a vote.Source: nbcnews.com
- Sponsored the Federal Reserve Transparency Act to allow a full audit of the Federal Reserve.Source: congress.gov
- Co-sponsored a March 2026 resolution to halt the war with Iran without congressional approval and was the only Republican to vote for it as it failed 47-53.Source: abc7news.com
Record
Paul's Senate record centers on opposition to deficit spending, debt ceiling increases without budget reforms, foreign aid and surveillance programs, and on demands that Congress authorize military action. In June 2026 he voted present on another Iran war powers resolution, saying he did not want to jeopardize peace talks. He held a 13-hour filibuster in 2013 over drone strike policy and later sued over bulk collection of phone records. During the COVID-19 pandemic he clashed with Anthony Fauci in Senate hearings over the origins of the virus and federal research funding.
Supporters cite his consistency on spending, civil liberties and war powers, and his willingness to vote against both parties. Critics cite his opposition to aid for Ukraine, his votes against bipartisan spending deals and his December 2020 claim that the election was in many ways stolen, which he later moved away from.
In their words
“Despite arguments to the contrary, Americans know tariffs are a tax they are going to have to pay.”
