Dr. Paul National Review Op-Ed: Keep Artificial Intelligence out of Government Surveillance
In a new op-ed for National Review, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, discussed the threat to freedom of thought and expression posed by artificial intelligence surveillance in government.
Dr. Paul Celebrates the Passage of Bipartisan Resolution in Recognition of National Police Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-K.Y.) joined a broad bipartisan coalition of 78 Senators in introducing a resolution designating the week of May 14 through 20, 2023 as National Police Week. The resolution honors the law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during 2022.
Dr. Paul and Bipartisan Senators Call for Reform to Surveillance of Americans’ Letters and Packages
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) led a group of six bipartisan senators in calling for stronger protections for the privacy of Americans’ letters and packages, in a letter to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Dr. Paul is ranking member of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee which has jurisdiction over USPIS and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
Paul, Peters, and Lankford Bipartisan Bill to Simplify Application Process for Federal Disaster Assistance Advances from Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Gary Peters (D-MI), and James Lankford (R-OK) to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance has advanced out of committee. The legislation would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal assistance to recover from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more. Currently, individuals that seek federal aid to recover from a disaster must fill out separate and detailed applications depending on what agency they need help from – a process that can take weeks or even months. The senators’ legislation would significantly streamline this process to reduce the burden on disaster survivors. The bill was advanced by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Paul serves as Ranking Member and Peters serves as Chair. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
Dr. Paul Warns of Threat to Freedom of Thought and Expression Posed by Artificial Intelligence Surveillance in Government
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, warned of the threat to freedom of thought and expression posed by artificial intelligence surveillance in government during a hearing titled “Artificial Intelligence in Government.” During the hearing, Dr. Paul highlighted multiple examples of how federal agencies expand invasive surveillance programs with the use of AI and are using the technology to surveil and censor Americans’ protected speech.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Paul, Peters & Lankford Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Simplify Application Process for Federal Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Stakeholders and organizations are applauding U.S. Senators Rand Raul (R-KY), Gary Peters (D-MI), and James Lankford (R-OK) for introducing bipartisan legislation to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance. The legislation would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal assistance to recover from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more. Currently, individuals that seek federal aid to recover from a disaster must fill out separate and detailed applications depending on what agency they need help from – a process that can take weeks or even months. The senators’ legislation would significantly streamline this process to reduce the burden on disaster survivors. The senators serve on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Paul and Peters are Ranking Member and Chairman respectively.
Paul, Peters, and Lankford Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Simplify Application Process for Federal Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and James Lankford (R-OK), introduced bipartisan legislation to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance. The legislation would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal assistance to recover from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more. Currently, individuals that seek federal aid to recover from a disaster must fill out separate and detailed applications depending on what agency they need help from – a process that can take weeks or even months. The senators’ legislation would significantly streamline this process to reduce the burden on disaster survivors.
Biden Administration Stonewalls COVID-19 Investigations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) questioned Samantha Power, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on the agencies inability to turn over information requested by Republican Senators on the origins of COVID-19.
Senators Call on USAID to Turn Over Information Requested on COVID-19 Origins
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, ahead of Samantha Power, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), yet again called on Administrator Power to turn over information requested by himself and 24 other Republican Senators on the origins of COVID-19.
Dr. Paul Highlights Need for Fiscal Responsibility at Hearing Examining Government Waste and Abuse
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, emphasized the importance of reducing government waste during a hearing titled “GAO’s 2023 High Risk List: Recommendations for Reducing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.” During the hearing, Dr. Paul showcased examples of waste from his 2022 ‘Festivus’ Report, which identified over $482 billion dollars in government waste.
Dr. Paul The Hill Op-Ed: Department of Homeland Security’s COVID Censorship Problem
In a new op-ed for The Hill, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, discussed the Department of Homeland Security’s concerning record of censoring free speech regarding COVID-19.
ICYMI: Homeland Security Committee Republicans Press Mayorkas over Department Failures
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During yesterday’s hearing to consider the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) FY24 Budget, Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his Department’s dangerous abuses of power and policies that have caused an unprecedented surge in illegal crossings. Throughout the hearing, members asked critical questions on the various issues threatening our homeland and endangering communities across the country.
Senate Votes on Dr. Rand Paul’s Amendment to Protect Firefighters
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate voted on U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s (R-KY) Support the Reinstatement of Trained and Effective Firefighters amendment which makes funding available to fire departments that terminated firefighters for refusing vaccination or voicing opposition to COVID-19 mandates only if they offer full reinstatement and backpay to those who lost their jobs. The amendment was considered as part of S.870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act.
Senate to Vote on Dr. Rand Paul’s Amendment to Protect Firefighters
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate will vote on U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s (R-KY) Support the Reinstatement of Trained and Effective Firefighters amendment which makes funding available to fire departments that terminated firefighters for refusing vaccination or voicing opposition to COVID-19 mandates only if they offer full reinstatement and backpay to those who lost their jobs. The amendment is being considered as part of S.870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act.
Dr. Paul Stresses Importance of Investigating COVID-19 Origins to DHS Secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, delivered opening remarks during a hearing titled “The FY24 DHS Budget: Resources and Authorities Requested to Protect and Secure the Homeland.” During the hearing, Dr. Paul stressed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, the Department’s continued refusal to investigate the origins of COVID-19.
Dr. Rand Paul Fights to Protect Constitution, Opposes Senate Bill to Ban TikTok
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, spoke on the Senate floor to protect Americans’ First Amendment rights and oppose a Senate bill that would ban TikTok. Dr. Paul’s objection comes from a commitment to defend our Constitutional rights and prevent government censorship.
Dr. Rand Paul Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Challenging Biden WOTUS Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in challenging the Biden administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule through a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval. The resolution passed 53-43.
Dr. Rand Paul Applauds Senate Repeal of 1991 and 2002 AUMFs, Calls for Repeal of 2001 AUMF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, applauded the Senate for voting to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs). Dr. Paul additionally called for the Senate to repeal the 2001 AUMF which would fully return war making powers to Congress.
Dr. Paul’s Bill to Prevent Duplicative Programs Advances in Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced that his Duplication Scoring Act of 2023, a bill to cut wasteful duplicative spending and reduce the size of the federal government, was advanced by the Committee during today’s business meeting. The bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to analyze legislation reported by any congressional committee and report to Congress whether the legislation would create a duplicative program, office, or initiative. The Duplication Scoring Act will ensure that GAO prevents the passage of any fragmented, overlapping, or duplicative program.
Dr. Paul Roll Call Op-Ed: The Overclassification Problem Plaguing the Federal Government
In a new op-ed for Roll Call, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, discussed the need to reexamine the government’s classification process and increase transparency.