Rand Paul

Conservative

Republican

Senator

Kentucky

Current Position: Senator from Kentucky

Running For: N/A

Policy Positions

For eliminating the federal Department of Education and returning control to local communities
For school voucher legislation and competitive public schooling
Against the Every Student Succeeds Act

Against the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change, claims it is 'not conclusive'
Against subsidizing energy companies but supports tax breaks for alternative energy companies

Against abortion rights; describes himself as '100% pro life,' believes life begins at conception, supports federal ban on abortion, and has sponsored legislation to effectively ban virtually all abortions by recognizing legal right to life from fertilization
Against the USA PATRIOT Act, including warrantless searches
Against domestic use of drones for surveillance, deems it a violation of privacy rights
Against the extrajudicial killing of American citizens in the United States who are terrorism suspects
Against the National Defense Authorization Act provisions allowing indefinite detention of citizens without due process
Against same-sex marriage; supported constitutional amendment to ban it nationwide in 2010, though later supports government getting out of marriage business altogether
Against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act protecting LGBT people from workplace discrimination
For criticizing increased militarization of law enforcement and its impact on African Americans

For restoring voting rights to felons after a five-year waiting period
For term limits, balanced budget amendment, and widespread reduction of federal spending and taxation
Against the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, calls it 'dangerous piece of legislation'

For immigration reform with border security emphasis, supports legal status for undocumented immigrants but opposes special path to citizenship
Against President Trump's national emergency declaration for border wall funding
Against the bipartisan immigration reform bill of 2013
For reducing or eliminating foreign aid to all countries
Against U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia's bombing operations in Yemen
For blocking President Trump's Saudi arms deals following Jamal Khashoggi's murder
Against supporting NATO; voted against motion expressing Senate support for NATO
For ending U.S. involvement in Afghanistan; offered amendment to withdraw troops within a year
Against the invasion of Iraq; questioned whether intelligence was manipulated
For staying in the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) as long as Iran complies

For gun rights; generally opposes gun control legislation, supported by the Second Amendment
For eliminating the Transportation Security Administration
Against the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
For legalizing medical marijuana as a states' rights issue
Against mandatory minimum sentences for marijuana possession and the 'war on drugs'