As I travel across Kentucky, I’m often asked if Congress is as angry a place as the media depicts.

The answer is, of course not. Sure, Republicans and Democrats disagree on many subjects, but our relations with each other are more often than not cordial and respectful, nothing like the vitriol of the internet.

In fact, because we know our areas of agreement are limited, we try hard to find conversations concerning areas we can agree upon.

Some of my most significant accomplishments in the Senate have come from reaching across the aisle and working with Democrats. For example, I recently teamed up with Senator Cory Booker to end mandatory animal testing for new drugs, and just last month the Senate unanimously passed our bill.

I’ve been a physician far longer than I’ve been a Senator and helping people has always been a core value of mine. So when I first ran for office, I promised to shake things up and write Washington a prescription for positive change. I promised to offer bold solutions to our problems, whether that meant working with Democrats or standing up for what’s right, even if the fight would get lonely sometimes.

Some of the areas where I’ve made great strides have been on issues Republicans typically shy away from, like a realist foreign policy view, criminal-justice reform, and protecting your privacy.

In addition to being a leading voice for bringing our troops home from far-flung conflicts, I’ve  teamed up with progressive Democrat Senator Chris Murphy to block arms sales to countries like Saudi Arabia because of their wartime blockade of Yemen that has led to mass starvation.

And on the issue of privacy, I have regularly spoken out against the government’s surveillance programs and have worked with Democrat Senator Ron Wyden to require the government get a judicial warrant before searching an American’s phone.  One of our recent bills, the “4th Amendment is Not for Sale Act,” closes the legal loophole that allows the government to buy Americans’ personal information without a warrant.

Perhaps the most significant area of my bipartisan efforts has been justice reform. From day one of my time in the Senate I have been committed to fixing our broken justice system and I have introduced and cosponsored over two dozen bipartisan bills addressing these issues.

I’ve teamed up with Senator Cory Booker many times on bills like the “RESET Act” to address the issue of mandatory minimum sentencing. I successfully pushed for the “First Step Act” to become law. And, in the wake of the Breonna Taylor shooting, I introduced the “Justice for Breonna Taylor Act,” which would ban no-knock warrants nationwide. Most recently, I again worked with Senator Booker to strengthen and pass the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Bill, making lynching a federal crime.

In addition, I have introduced legislation to protect pregnant women in federal custody, which helps guarantee their health and safety and give birth in humane conditions. My proposals would bring much-needed reform to a system that often disproportionately punishes minorities and low-income Americans while also providing second chances to those who have made mistakes in the past but are willing to turn their lives around.

I’ve also worked with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on the Military Justice Improvement Act to better address and professionalize how the military handles and prosecutes serious crimes like sexual assault.

But, just like I work with both sides of the aisle, I also hold both sides accountable. Many know me to be quite an outspoken critic of wasteful spending, and its because I have Kentuckians’ best interests in mind. Every dollar we waste or send overseas is a dollar that could have been spent on roads and bridges here at home.

Every time your government tries to spend its way out of a problem, I’m there to propose a solution that not only funds our needs, but also does it in a fiscally responsible way. Take for example my recent legislation that would allow unspent COVID-19 funds to be used for federal disaster relief.

My number one priority is putting Kentucky first and doing the best job I can to represent all Kentuckians, no matter what it takes. Whether I’m working across the aisle with Democrats or taking a stand to protect your tax dollars, I’m truly honored to be the one that gets to fight for you every day in Washington, and I look forward to continuing my efforts on your behalf.

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Ukraine set to become largest recipient of U.S. military assistance in a century

I’ve always fought to protect tax dollars from going towards wasteful spending overseas and instead prioritize them for needs here in Kentucky. I’m proud of the strength and resilience in our Commonwealth and I’ll continue to support Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/HiZGF3ZGdk

— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) October 5, 2022

As Floridians recover from Hurricane Ian and Kentucky contends with major tornado damage, President Biden just pledged another $625 million of our taxpayer dollars to Ukraine on top of the billions and billions already sent.

Ukraine is now set to become the largest recipient of American military assistance in a century.

The Intercept reported last month, “Since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February, the U.S. government has pumped more money and weapons into supporting the Ukrainian military than it sent in 2020 to Afghanistan, Israel, and Egypt combined — surpassing in a matter of months three of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid in history…”

“Analysts estimate that Ukraine, already the largest recipient of U.S. security assistance in Europe since 2014, is well on track to become the largest recipient of U.S. security assistance of the century altogether.” the report continued.

The Intercept noted how unprecedented this foreign spending was, “There is little precedent for the breakneck pace and scale of U.S. spending on Ukraine. ‘It’s more than the peak it paid to Afghanistan by a long shot and many times more than aid to Israel,’ William Hartung, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute, told The Intercept. ‘And it’s somewhat unique that they’ve been arming a country where there are two nation states at war.”

Read the entire story.

The post We need less U.S. tax dollars going overseas. Put America First appeared first on Liberty Tree.

The Post Millennial reports, “One veteran wanted to give a few dozen presents to cheer up young storm victims. But with some help from the internet, he’s brought back Christmas for thousands of children.

Per an ABC News report, retired Marine Shawn Triplett brought the holiday spirit back to his hometown of Mayfield, Kentucky in the aftermath of devastating tornadoes.

Triplett was inspired in the first place by what a little boy told his mother at a storm shelter. ‘I lost my Christmas’ is all it took to compel Shawn to try and make things right again.

Kentucky hero keeps the spirit of Christmas alive. #kentuckystronghttps://t.co/Ihj8QfxZnn

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 26, 2021

He pitched a modest goal of 20 to 30 presents, asking friends and family for help. But Triplett’s effort went viral.

’It’s really been pretty cool, because I don’t really I don’t speak Japanese or French, so I’ve had to go use Google Translate to reply back to people and just thank them,’ he says.

He raised roughly $98,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. A team of volunteers worked round the clock to wrap thousands of them in a matter of days. ABC says Shawn Triplett and those who helped him have sent out more than 20,000 toys.”

Read the entire story.

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Like Mayfield, Bowling Green is trying to pick up the pieces. @EWilTV tells us about the efforts there. @RandPaul was given a tour of the area and he said he’s pleased by everyone coming together. pic.twitter.com/R3JYK0onA5

— Spectrum News 1 Kentucky (@SpectrumNews1KY) December 12, 2021

Our hearts are broken for all those suffering from last night’s terrible storms .

I and my team will do all we can to assist local and state officials as they lead the immediate response, and will aggressively help families, businesses, and officials access recovery resources.

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 11, 2021

Here are some resources for those affected by the devastating storms in Kentucky and for those who want to help. https://t.co/Kv7YLF0tHJ

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 11, 2021

Rand and I are praying for everyone here in Bowling Green and across Kentucky suffering from last night’s tornado. Rand and his team are working to get help to all in need. Thanks to everyone who has sent us your prayers and support. We will get through this together.

— Kelley Paul (@KelleyAshbyPaul) December 11, 2021

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Kentucky’s Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has issued a mask mandate for school children. Here’s my response

Kentucky’s Democratic Governor Andy Beshear has issued a mask mandate for children returning to school in my state this fall.

Here’s my response.

Hey @AndyBeshearKY : https://t.co/97X9ktLTZY https://t.co/fgEJ9EBq5S

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 11, 2021

We are at a moment of truth and a crossroads. Will we allow these people to use fear and propaganda to do further harm to our society, economy, and children?

Or will we stand together and say, absolutely not. Not this time. I choose freedom. pic.twitter.com/XrI2tjdAHW

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 8, 2021

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