Full History Of Rand Paul In Timeline From 1926

1926: Notes on Democracy published

In 1926, 'Notes on Democracy' was published.

1930: I'll Take My Stand published

In 1930, 'I'll Take My Stand' was published.

1941: The Managerial Revolution published

In 1941, 'The Managerial Revolution' was published.

1948: Ideas Have Consequences published

In 1948, 'Ideas Have Consequences' was published.

1951: God and Man at Yale published

In 1951, 'God and Man at Yale' was published.

1953: The Conservative Mind published

In 1953, 'The Conservative Mind' was published.

1960: The Conscience of a Conservative published

In 1960, 'The Conscience of a Conservative' was published.

January 7, 1963: Rand Paul's Birth

On January 7, 1963, Randal Howard Paul was born. He is now an American politician and the junior United States senator from Kentucky.

Others born on this day/year

1964: A Choice Not an Echo published

In 1964, 'A Choice Not an Echo' was published.

1964: Civil Rights Act

Rand Paul's comments on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 stirred controversy during his campaign.

1968: Family Moved to Lake Jackson, Texas

In 1968, the Paul family moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, where his father started a medical practice.

1976: Attended Republican National Convention

In 1976, Rand Paul attended the Republican National Convention, where his father headed Ronald Reagan's Texas delegation.

1981: Attended Baylor University

In the fall of 1981, Rand Paul began attending Baylor University, where he was enrolled in the honors program.

1984: Aided father's senate campaign

In 1984, Rand Paul took a semester off to aid his father's campaign in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate election in Texas.

1984: Left Baylor University

In the summer of 1984, Rand Paul left Baylor University without completing his baccalaureate degree.

1987: A Conflict of Visions and The Closing of the American Mind published

In 1987, 'A Conflict of Visions' and 'The Closing of the American Mind' were published.

1988: Earned Doctor of Medicine degree

In 1988, Rand Paul earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Duke University School of Medicine.

October 20, 1990: Marriage to Kelley Ashby

On October 20, 1990, Rand Paul married Kelley Ashby, a freelance writer.

1991: Founded North Carolina Taxpayers Union

In 1991, Rand Paul founded the North Carolina Taxpayers Union.

1992: Birth of Son, William

In 1992, Rand Paul and his wife Kelley had their first son, William.

Others born on this day/year

June 1993: Valid medical license

Since June 1993, Rand Paul's medical license has been valid continuously.

1993: Practicing in Bowling Green

In 1993, Rand Paul began practicing ophthalmology in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

1993: Completed Residency

In 1993, Rand Paul completed his residency.

1993: Malpractice Lawsuit

In 1993, Rand Paul faced a malpractice lawsuit.

1993: Practicing ophthalmologist

In 1993, Rand Paul started his career as a practicing ophthalmologist in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

1994: Founded Kentucky Taxpayers United

In 1994, Rand Paul founded Kentucky Taxpayers United (KTU) and served as its chair.

1995: Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology

In 1995, Rand Paul was certified to practice by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO).

1995: Maintained ABO certification

Rand Paul maintained his own ABO certification from 1995 to 2005.

1996: Managed father's congressional campaign

In 1996, Rand Paul managed his father's successful congressional campaign.

1998: Joined Graves Gilbert Clinic

In 1998, Rand Paul joined a private medical group practice, the Graves Gilbert Clinic, in Bowling Green.

1999: Incorporated the National Board of Ophthalmology

In 1999, Rand Paul incorporated the National Board of Ophthalmology (NBO) to offer an alternative certification system.

2000: KTU Dissolved

In 2000, Kentucky Taxpayers United (KTU) was legally dissolved by the state after failing to file registration documents.

2001: The Death of the West published

In 2001, 'The Death of the West' was published.

2002: KTU Stopped Issuing Ratings

After 2002, Kentucky Taxpayers United stopped issuing ratings and report cards.

2005: Certification Ended

In 2005, Rand Paul ended his own ABO certification.

2005: Recreated the National Board of Ophthalmology

In 2005, Rand Paul recreated the National Board of Ophthalmology.

2008: Grayson admission

In 2008, Alan Grayson admitted he voted for Bill Clinton when he was 20 years old.

2008: Formed private medical practice

In 2008, Rand Paul formed his own private practice in Bowling Green.

2008: Campaigning for his father

In 2008, Rand Paul spoke on his father's behalf during his presidential election run, including campaigning door-to-door and speaking at a fundraising rally.

September 2009: Comments on KTU

In September 2009, Rand Paul told a Kentucky television audience that KTU published ratings each year on state legislators' tax positions for about 15 years.

2009: Founded Southern Kentucky Lions Eye Clinic

In 2009, Rand Paul founded the Southern Kentucky Lions Eye Clinic to provide eye surgery and exams for those who cannot afford to pay.

2009: Alex Jones Interview

In 2009, Rand Paul was interviewed by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and suggested that mandatory vaccination would be akin to martial law.

2009: Paul's position on abortion in 2009

In 2009, Rand Paul's position was to ban abortion under all circumstances.

2009: Drafted for Senate bid

In early 2009, supporters sought to draft Rand Paul for a potential Senate bid to replace Jim Bunning. He gave his first political speech on April 15, 2009 at a Tea Party rally.

April 26, 2010: James Dobson Endorsement of Grayson

On April 26, 2010, James Dobson endorsed Alan Grayson based on advice from "senior members of the GOP".

2010: Malpractice Lawsuit Settlement

In 2010, Rand Paul settled a malpractice lawsuit for $50,000.

2010: Supported Constitutional Amendment to Ban Same-Sex Marriage

In 2010, Rand Paul supported a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage nationwide.

2010: Elected to the U.S. Senate

In 2010, Rand Paul was elected to the U.S. Senate.

2010: The Wall Street Journal Report

In 2010, The Wall Street Journal reported that KTU had stopped issuing its ratings after 2002 and had been legally dissolved by the state in 2000.

2010: General Election Contributions

In 2010, the general election campaign between Rand Paul and Jack Conway attracted $8.5 million in contributions from outside groups, with $6 million spent to help Paul and $2.5 million to help Conway.

2010: Hiring of Jesse Benton by Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell hired Jesse Benton, Rand Paul's 2010 campaign manager as his own campaign manager.

2010: Paul's position on abortion since 2010

Since 2010, Rand Paul has said he would allow for a doctor's discretion in life-threatening cases such as ectopic pregnancies regarding abortion.

January 5, 2011: Sworn into Senate

On January 5, 2011, Rand Paul was sworn in as a U.S. Senator, along with his father who was simultaneously in the House of Representatives.

April 2011: Paul files for re-election to Senate seat

In April 2011, Rand Paul filed to run for re-election to his Senate seat in 2016. State law would have prohibited him from simultaneously running for re-election had he become the Republican presidential nominee.

2011: Became US Senator

In 2011, Rand Paul began serving as the junior United States senator from Kentucky. He is a member of the Republican Party and is the chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

2011: Blocking refugee benefits bill

In 2011, Rand Paul blocked a bill that would provide $36 million in benefits for elderly and disabled refugees, citing concerns it could aid domestic terrorists. This was in response to alleged terrorists who entered the US through a refugee program and received welfare in Bowling Green, Paul's hometown. He later lifted the hold after a promise of a congressional hearing and investigation into the refugee selection process and how the suspects were admitted.

2011: Co-authored "The Tea Party Goes to Washington"

In 2011, Rand Paul co-authored the book "The Tea Party Goes to Washington".

The Tea Party Goes to Washington

Check it on Amazon

2011: Dissolved the National Board of Ophthalmology

In 2011, Rand Paul dissolved the National Board of Ophthalmology (NBO).

2011: Paul signs onto No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act

In 2011, Rand Paul signed onto the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act which was intended to prohibit federal funding for abortion, with the exception of abortions in the case of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother.

2011: Proposed Defense Spending Budget

In 2011, shortly after being elected, Rand Paul proposed a budget which specified $542 billion in defense spending.

June 2012: Endorsing Mitt Romney

In June 2012, Rand Paul endorsed Mitt Romney for the 2012 presidential election after it became apparent that he would be the Republican nominee. However, he later voiced disagreements with Romney on various policies.

2012: Donations from Oil, Gas and Coal Industries

According to The Guardian, since 2012, Rand Paul has received over $250,000 from oil, gas and coal interests.

2012: Authored "Government Bullies"

In 2012, Rand Paul authored the book "Government Bullies".

Government Bullies: How Everyday Americans are Being Harassed, Abused, and Imprisoned by the Feds

Check it on Amazon

January 2013: Paul considered potential presidential candidate

Since at least January 2013, Rand Paul was considered a potential candidate for the Republican nomination for the presidency of the United States.

February 13, 2013: Paul delivers Tea Party response to State of the Union address

On February 13, 2013, Rand Paul delivered the Tea Party response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. This prompted some pundits to call that date the start of the 2016 Republican primaries.

March 2013: Threatened filibuster and McConnell endorsement

In March 2013, Rand Paul, along with Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, threatened a filibuster opposing any legislative proposals to expand federal gun control measures. Also in March 2013, Paul endorsed fellow Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell's 2014 re-election campaign.

April 11, 2013: Attempted filibuster on gun control

On April 11, 2013, Rand Paul, along with Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, attempted a filibuster opposing legislative proposals to expand federal gun control measures, but the filibuster was dismissed by cloture.

July 19, 2013: Opposing Detroit Bailout

On July 19, 2013, Rand Paul stated in an interview with Breitbart News that he would oppose any federal bailout of Detroit following the city's declaration of bankruptcy. He believed a bailout would send the wrong message to other financially troubled cities.

October 2013: Plagiarism Controversy

In October 2013, Rand Paul faced controversy after being found to have plagiarized portions of a speech from Wikipedia and other sources without proper attribution. This included his Tea Party rebuttal to the president's State of the Union Address and passages in his book "Government Bullies". The Washington Times ended his column due to plagiarism issues. Paul responded by saying he was being held to an "unfair standard" and would restructure his office to prevent future mistakes.

Government Bullies: How Everyday Americans are Being Harassed, Abused, and Imprisoned by the Feds

Check it on Amazon

2013: Filibuster on John O. Brennan Nomination

In 2013, Rand Paul engaged in a filibuster lasting 12 hours and 52 minutes to delay the vote on John O. Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, questioning the Obama administration's drone use and legal justifications within the U.S. After receiving assurances regarding the targeting of non-combatants, the filibuster ended with a cloture vote, and Brennan was confirmed.

2013: Introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act

In 2013, Rand Paul introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act to legalize industrial hemp cultivation at the federal level.

2013: Introduced the Justice Safety Valve Act

In 2013, Rand Paul introduced the Justice Safety Valve Act to provide judges with greater sentencing flexibility.

2013: Included in Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2013, Rand Paul was included in a list of the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine.

2013: Paul advises medical students to use misinformation

In January 2022, a video resurfaced of Rand Paul advising medical students at the University of Louisville in 2013, during which he said "misinformation works, so try to trick your opponents".

February 2014: Filed lawsuit against federal government

In February 2014, Rand Paul joined FreedomWorks in filing a class action lawsuit against the federal government's bulk collection of Americans' phone records metadata, alleging a violation of the Fourth Amendment.

March 2014: Kentucky Senate passes bill allowing Paul to run for both offices

In March 2014, the Republican-controlled Kentucky Senate passed a bill that would allow Rand Paul to run for both his Senate seat and president, but the Democratic-controlled Kentucky House of Representatives declined to take it up.

April 2014: Paul insists the GOP has to broaden its appeal

In a speech at the GOP Freedom Summit in April 2014, Rand Paul insisted that the GOP has to broaden its appeal in order to grow as a party.

December 2014: CIA infiltration and Policy Towards Cuba

In December 2014, Rand Paul called for the firing of CIA Director John O. Brennan in response to reports that the CIA infiltrated the computers of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Also in December 2014, Paul supported the actions taken by the Obama administration to change United States policy towards Cuba and to ease trade restrictions with that country.

2014: Paul launches 'Hillary's Losers' social media campaign

During the 2014 election, Rand Paul launched a social media campaign titled 'Hillary's Losers' which was meant to highlight many of the Democratic candidates that lost their bids for the U.S. Senate despite endorsements from Hillary Clinton.

2014: Ebola Threat Argument

In 2014, Rand Paul argued that the Obama administration and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) were downplaying the threat posed by the Ebola virus in the United States.

2014: Blamed Iraq War Supporters for Violence Growth

In 2014, Rand Paul blamed supporters of the Iraq War, rather than President Obama, for the growth in violence that occurred, stating that the Iraq War "emboldened" Iran.

2014: Blocking treaty with Switzerland and receiving award

In 2014, Rand Paul blocked a treaty with Switzerland that would enable the IRS to conduct tax evasion probes, arguing it would infringe on Americans' privacy. Also in 2014, Paul received the Distinguished Service Award from the Center for the National Interest.

2014: Co-sponsored Rohrabacher–Farr amendment

In 2014, Rand Paul co-sponsored the Rohrabacher–Farr amendment supporting states' rights-focused cannabis legislation.

2014: Gave Speech on Privacy at UC Berkeley

In 2014, Rand Paul gave a speech at the University of California, Berkeley, titled "The N.S.A. vs. Your Privacy".

2014: Introduced Legislation on Voting Rights and Criminal Justice Reform

In 2014, Rand Paul introduced the Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act, the REDEEM Act, the FAIR Act, and the RESET Act, focusing on criminal justice reform and voting rights.

2014: Paul helps Republican candidates for the State House

In 2014, Rand Paul spent his own campaign money in the legislative elections, helping Republican candidates for the State House in the hopes of flipping the chamber. However, the Democrats retained their majority.

2014: Included in Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2014, Rand Paul was included in a list of the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine.

2014: Endorsement of Mitch McConnell

In March 2013, Rand Paul endorsed Mitch McConnell's 2014 re-election campaign for senator. This was seen as a major win for McConnell.

2014: Comments on Ukraine and Russia

In early 2014, Rand Paul stated that the United States should maintain a respectful relationship with Russia during the political turmoil in Ukraine and avoid actions that could be seen as provocation, such as pushing for Ukraine to join NATO.

February 2, 2015: Vaccination Remarks

On February 2, 2015, Rand Paul told conservative radio host Laura Ingraham that "most" vaccinations should be voluntary, generating controversy around state requirements for vaccinating children.

February 3, 2015: Vaccination Photo on Twitter

On February 3, 2015, Rand Paul posted a photograph of himself being vaccinated on Twitter.

April 7, 2015: Paul announces presidential candidacy

On April 7, 2015, Rand Paul officially announced his presidential candidacy and raised $1 million within a day.

May 20, 2015: Opposition to Patriot Act Reauthorization

On May 20, 2015, Rand Paul spoke for ten and a half hours in opposition to the reauthorization of Section 215 of the Patriot Act, leading to sections of the Patriot Act being prevented from being reauthorized on June 1.

2015: Called for a Defense Budget

In 2015, Rand Paul called for a defense budget of $697 billion.

2015: Introduced the CARERS Act

In 2015, Rand Paul introduced the CARERS Act to legalize medical cannabis at the federal level and the Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act to allow cannabis businesses increased access to banks.

2015: Introduced Legislation on Police Practices and Juvenile Justice

In 2015, Rand Paul introduced the Police CAMERA Act, the Stop Militarizing Our Law Enforcement Act, and the MERCY Act, focusing on police practices and juvenile justice.

2015: Spoke Against Renewing PATRIOT Act Provisions

In 2015, Rand Paul spoke for ten and a half hours on the Senate floor against renewing provisions of the PATRIOT Act, which he deemed unconstitutional.

2015: Expressed Disagreement with Supreme Court's Redefinition of Marriage

In 2015, following the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalizing same-sex marriage across the United States, Rand Paul stated his disagreement with the Supreme Court's redefinition of marriage, while also asserting that all Americans have the right to contract.

February 3, 2016: Paul suspends presidential campaign

On February 3, 2016, Rand Paul announced the suspension of his presidential campaign shortly after the Iowa caucus, where he finished in fifth place.

February 2016: Opposing Obama's Supreme Court Nominee

In February 2016, after the death of Antonin Scalia, Rand Paul indicated on February 15 that he would oppose any nomination by President Obama to replace the late Supreme Court Justice.

May 6, 2016: Obama criticizes Paul for blocking tax treaties

On May 6, 2016, President Obama called on Rand Paul to stop "blocking the implementation of tax treaties that have been pending for years", arguing that they assisted law enforcement in off shore investigations into tax evasion.

2016: Hillbilly Elegy published

In 2016, 'Hillbilly Elegy' was published.

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2016: Paul wins CPAC presidential straw poll

In 2016, Rand Paul spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington D.C., where he won the 2016 presidential straw poll.

2016: Election Interference

In 2016, Rand Paul was involved in a Special Counsel investigation into Russian interference in the election.

2016: Opposed US Support for Saudi Arabian-Led Intervention in Yemen

In 2016, Rand Paul was one of the first members of Congress to publicly oppose United States support for the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.

2016: Re-elected as Senator

In 2016, Rand Paul was re-elected as a U.S. Senator.

2016: Paul's potential conflict with running for Senate and President

In April 2011, Rand Paul filed to run for re-election to his Senate seat in 2016. Had he become the Republican presidential nominee, state law would prohibit him from simultaneously running for re-election.

2016: Paul becomes closer to Trump

Since the 2016 Republican primary, when Rand Paul was highly critical of Trump, he has "become one of the president's closest allies despite occasionally voting against Trump's nominees and legislative proposals".

2016: "Fair and Flat Tax" Plan Proposal

While running for president in 2016, Rand Paul proposed the "Fair and Flat Tax" plan, which aimed to replace the IRS tax code with a low, broad-based tax of 14.5% on individuals and businesses.

January 25, 2017: Introducing a bill to replace the Affordable Care Act

On January 25, 2017, Rand Paul introduced a bill that sought to replace the Affordable Care Act which included each person's having a tax credit of $5,000 and not requiring everyone to have coverage, unlike Obamacare.

March 2017: Introducing Stop Arming Terrorists Act and feud with John McCain

In March 2017, Rand Paul introduced the Stop Arming Terrorists Act and that would prohibit the use of United States government funds to provide assistance to Al Qaeda, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and to countries supporting those organizations. On March 16, Senator John McCain (Rep) accused Paul of being an agent of Vladimir Putin after Paul objected to adding Montenegro to NATO, leading to a public feud.

April 2017: Questioning Trump's Syria Missile Strike

In April 2017, Rand Paul questioned President Trump's missile strike to Syria, stating that the United States was not attacked and that further action should require congressional authorization.

May 2017: Signing letter to withdraw from Paris Agreement

In May 2017, Rand Paul was one of 22 senators to sign a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to have the United States withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

June 12, 2017: Opposed Legislation Imposing New Sanctions on Russia and Iran

On June 12, 2017, Rand Paul, along with Bernie Sanders, opposed legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and Iran.

June 2017: Tried to Block Weapon Sales to Saudi Arabia

In June 2017, Rand Paul attempted to block the Trump administration's plan to sell more weapons to Saudi Arabia.

September 5, 2017: Paul responds to DACA rescission

On September 5, 2017, after the Trump administration announced the intended rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Rand Paul stated that the executive order that created DACA was illegal and congressional bipartisanship was needed to solve or fix the program.

October 2017: Threatening to Vote Against Republican Budget

In October 2017, Rand Paul confirmed he would not vote for the Republican budget in the Senate unless billions in spending were removed from the plan.

November 3, 2017: Assault by Neighbor

On November 3, 2017, Rand Paul was assaulted by his neighbor, Rene Boucher, while mowing his lawn. Paul, who is deaf in one ear, was wearing noise-canceling headphones, enabling Boucher to tackle Paul without being noticed.

2017: The Benedict Option published

In 2017, 'The Benedict Option' was published.

2017: Introduced the Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act

In 2017, Rand Paul introduced the Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act to encourage states to reform bail policies.

2017: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

In 2017, Rand Paul voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This vote was later criticized by Jon Stewart and John Feal when Paul blocked a bill regarding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, as they argued the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increased the deficit.

2017: Demanding to see the House's version of the Affordable Care Act replacement bill

In March 2017, Rand Paul demanded to see the House of Representatives' copy of the bill replacing and repealing the Affordable Care Act, and stated that the repeal and replacement should be two seperate bills. He later accused House Speaker Paul Ryan of being misleading in portraying supporters of the American Health Care Act of 2017 as not being negotiable.

February 2018: Voting against immigration framework

In February 2018, Rand Paul was one of fourteen Republican senators to vote against the immigration framework proposed by President Trump that called for $25 billion for border security in exchange for a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million immigrants brought into the US illegally.

April 2018: Criticized U.S.-Saudi Arabia Alliance

In April 2018, Rand Paul criticized the U.S.-Saudi Arabia alliance, highlighting Saudi Arabia's funding of radical madrassas and supplying arms to ISIS in the Syrian civil war, while also noting that the U.S.-backed Saudi blockade of Yemen aggravated the humanitarian crisis there.

April 2018: Voted for Mike Pompeo's Confirmation as Secretary of State

In April 2018, Rand Paul voted for the confirmation of Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, despite previously expressing his intention not to confirm Pompeo due to his hawkish foreign policy beliefs.

July 2018: Described Special Counsel Investigation as a "witch hunt"

In July 2018, shortly after 12 Russian intelligence officers were charged with hacking and leaking emails of senior Democrats, Rand Paul described the Special Counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as a "witch hunt on the president".

August 2018: Voting record with Donald Trump

By August 2018, FiveThirtyEight found that Rand Paul had voted with Donald Trump's positions the least out of all Republicans, only voting with him 74% of the time.

August 2018: Traveled to Moscow and Met with Russian Senators

In August 2018, Rand Paul traveled to Moscow and met with several Russian senators, including Sergey Kislyak.

December 2018: Downplaying Trump campaign finance violations

In December 2018, Rand Paul downplayed President Trump's alleged involvement in campaign finance violations, saying they should not be "over-criminalized" and were simply "an error in filing paperwork."

December 2018: Supported Trump's Decision to Pull US Army from Syrian Civil War

In December 2018, Rand Paul supported President Trump's decision to withdraw the US army from the Syrian Civil War.

2018: Why Liberalism Failed published

In 2018, 'Why Liberalism Failed' was published.

2018: Called for Investigation of National Science Foundation Grant

In 2018, Rand Paul called for an investigation of a National Science Foundation grant that went towards educating meteorologists about the science of climate change, considering it "propagandizing" rather than science.

2018: Co-sponsored the STATES Act

In 2018, Rand Paul co-sponsored the STATES Act supporting states' rights-focused cannabis legislation.

2018: Introduced the Pregnant Women in Custody Act

In 2018, Rand Paul introduced the Pregnant Women in Custody Act to protect the health and safety of pregnant women in prison.

January 2019: Condemning Mitt Romney's Criticism of Trump

In January 2019, Rand Paul condemned Senator Mitt Romney for writing an editorial criticizing President Trump, stating that Romney's criticism was bad for the country and the Republican Party.

May 2019: Opposed Subpoena of Donald Trump Jr.

In May 2019, Rand Paul opposed the decision of the Senate Intelligence Committee to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. to testify about his involvement with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

June 2019: Criticized Trump Administration for Escalating Tensions with Iran

In June 2019, Rand Paul criticized the Trump administration for escalating tensions with Iran, stating that an Iran war would be an even bigger mistake than the Iraq War.

July 17, 2019: Paul blocks motion on September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

On July 17, 2019, Rand Paul, along with Senator Mike Lee, blocked Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's motion for unanimous consent on a bill renewing the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, arguing for an amendment to offset the new spending. Comedian Jon Stewart and 9/11 first responder John Feal criticized Paul for delaying the bill while supporting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which increased the deficit. Paul responded that he insisted on "pay-go provisions" for any increase in spending and called Stewart uninformed.

August 2019: Lung Removal Surgery

In August 2019, part of Rand Paul's lung required removal as a result of the injuries he sustained during the 2017 attack by his neighbor.

September 2019: Boucher's Sentence Vacated

In September 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated Rene Boucher's sentence of 30 days for assaulting Rand Paul, ruling it was unreasonably short. The case was sent back to the lower court for resentencing.

November 4, 2019: Paul calls for revealing whistleblower identity

On November 4, 2019, Rand Paul called on the media to reveal the secret identity of Trump's Ukraine quid pro quo whistleblower after threatening to reveal the name himself.

November 2019: Pledge for Term Limits

In November 2019, Rand Paul signed a pledge to support a constitutional amendment to limit senators to two terms.

2019: Voted Against Trump's Emergency Border Funding

In 2019, Rand Paul was one of 11 Republicans who voted against President Trump's demand for emergency border funding.

January 2020: Criticized U.S. Airstrike on Baghdad International Airport

In January 2020, Rand Paul criticized the U.S. airstrike on Baghdad International Airport, which killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, stating that the attack would increase tensions between the two countries.

January 2020: Tweeted About Climate Change Predictions and Future Human Survival

In a January 2020 tweet, Rand Paul wrote, "Despite climate alarmist predictions, humans will likely survive for hundreds of millions of years into the future. In the meantime, we should begin creating atmospheres on suitable moons or planets."

February 2020: Paul criticizes YouTube for removing his speech video

In February 2020, Rand Paul criticized YouTube for removing a video of his floor speech about the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, which contained a controversial question about a staffer's relationship with another individual.

February 26, 2020: Paul's wife purchases stock in Gilead Sciences

On February 26, 2020, Rand Paul's wife purchased between $1,000 and $15,000 worth of stock in Gilead Sciences, a pharmaceutical company producing an antiviral drug for COVID-19, before the public fully understood the threat. The disclosure of this transaction was delayed by 16 months, with Paul's office claiming a filing error.

March 22, 2020: Positive COVID-19 Test

On March 22, 2020, Rand Paul announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first member of the United States Senate to test positive for the virus.

April 7, 2020: Recovery from COVID-19

On April 7, 2020, Rand Paul announced his recovery from COVID-19.

April 2020: Volunteering at Hospital

In April 2020, after recovering from COVID-19, Rand Paul began volunteering at a hospital in Bowling Green to assist in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky.

May 2020: COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders

In May 2020, Rand Paul characterized Kentucky's Democratic governor Andy Beshear's stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic as a form of "dictatorship".

June 2020: Paul's voting record with Trump's position

As of June 2020, according to FiveThirtyEight, Rand Paul had voted with President Trump's position on congressional issues 70% of the time, the second lowest among all Republican senators.

July 1, 2020: Senate Rejected Paul's Amendment to Withdraw U.S. Forces from Afghanistan

On July 1, 2020, the Senate rejected Rand Paul's amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would have mandated the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan within a year, ending the 19-year war.

August 2020: Confrontation by Protesters

In August 2020, following President Donald Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention, Rand Paul was confronted by protestors demanding justice for Breonna Taylor. Despite the protestors' demands, Paul had previously authored a bill named after Taylor to ban no-knock warrants.

September 2020: Paul votes against COVID-19 aid package

In September 2020, Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote against the COVID-19 aid package introduced by Senator Mitch McConnell, citing concerns about the accumulation of debt.

September 23, 2020: Clash with Anthony Fauci

On September 23, 2020, at a Senate committee hearing, Rand Paul clashed with Anthony Fauci, questioning the CDC's mitigation recommendations regarding mask-wearing and social distancing. Fauci accused Paul of misconstruing information.

December 2020: Paul claims election was stolen, later accepts electors

Initially, Rand Paul insisted that the 2020 elections were fraudulent, and in December 2020, he claimed that the election "in many ways was stolen." Later, he accepted the state-certified electors that named Biden.

2020: Paul refuses to accept Biden's victory

After the 2020 presidential election, Rand Paul refused to accept Democratic candidate Joe Biden's victory against Trump and falsely claimed that the election was "stolen."

2020: Held Up Bipartisan Legislation on Lynching

In 2020, Rand Paul held up bipartisan legislation that would make lynching a federal crime, seeking an amendment to clarify the definition of lynching.

2020: Introduced the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act

In 2020, Rand Paul introduced the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act to increase the THC limit of hemp from 0.3% to 1%.

2020: Introduced the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act

In 2020, Rand Paul introduced the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act to end the use of no-knock warrants.

2020: Paul makes false claims of fraud in 2020 election

In January 2021 after the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Rand Paul argued that the electoral college is an indispensable friend of democracy. Later that month, Paul continued to make false claims of fraud in the 2020 election and refused to say that the election was not stolen.

January 2021: Paul questions impeachment constitutionality

In January 2021, during the second impeachment trial of Trump, Rand Paul questioned the constitutionality of it due to Trump having left office and defended him against charges of inciting insurrection. Paul introduced a motion declaring the impeachment unconstitutional, which was defeated.

February 3, 2021: Paul named ranking member of committee

On February 3, 2021, Rand Paul was named a ranking member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

February 13, 2021: Paul votes against Trump's impeachment charges

On February 13, 2021, Rand Paul formally voted against the charges in the second impeachment trial of Trump.

May 2021: Decision Not to Get COVID Vaccine

In May 2021, during President Biden's push for vaccinations, Rand Paul stated he was choosing not to get the COVID vaccine, citing his prior infection and natural immunity, and emphasizing individual medical decision rights.

May 28, 2021: Voted Against Independent Commission to Investigate Capitol Attack

On May 28, 2021, Rand Paul voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

July 2021: Debate with Anthony Fauci on COVID-19 Origin

In July 2021, Anthony Fauci called Rand Paul a liar during Senate hearings, amidst Paul's allegations and concerns about the risks of lab work and the origin of COVID-19.

August 11, 2021: Disclosure of Wife's Investment

On August 11, 2021, Rand Paul disclosed that his wife, Kelley Paul, had purchased a stake in Gilead Sciences, which manufactures an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, on February 26, 2020.

August 2021: Suspension from YouTube

In August 2021, Rand Paul was suspended from YouTube for a week under the company's misinformation policy after he published a video with false claims that masks are not effective. He also released a video calling on people to "resist" public health measures to halt the spread of COVID-19.

2021: Co-sponsored FDA Modernization Act 2.0

In 2021, Rand Paul and Senator Cory Booker co-sponsored the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which eliminated the requirement that pharmaceuticals in development use animal testing before commencing human trials.

January 2022: Video resurfaces of Paul advising medical students

In January 2022, a video resurfaced of Rand Paul advising medical students at the University of Louisville in 2013, during which he said "misinformation works, so try to trick your opponents".

May 12, 2022: Stopped Vote on $40 Billion Spending Bill for Aid to Ukraine

On May 12, 2022, Rand Paul stopped a vote on a $40 billion spending bill for aid to Ukraine, objecting to the size and frequency of such spending bills and stating President Biden provoked Russia by advocating for Ukraine's entrance into NATO.

May 2022: Paul blocks aid bill for Ukraine

In May 2022, Rand Paul blocked a bipartisan bill that would provide $40 billion in aid for Ukraine during the Russian invasion, citing the need for oversight of the aid spending.

December 2022: FDA Modernization Act 2.0 Signed into Law

In December 2022, legislation co-sponsored by Rand Paul, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which eliminates the requirement that pharmaceuticals in development use animal testing before commencing human trials, was signed into law by President Joe Biden.

2022: Introduced Legislation on Right to Try and Breakthrough Therapies

In 2022, Rand Paul introduced the Right to Try Clarification Act to clarify the use of Schedule I drugs for terminally ill patients and the Breakthrough Therapies Act to allow the rescheduling of Schedule I drugs like psilocybin and MDMA when designated as breakthrough therapies by the FDA.

2022: Elected for Third Term

In 2022, Rand Paul was elected for his third term in the U.S. Senate.

2022: Vote Against Honoring our PACT Act of 2022

In 2022, Rand Paul was one of the 11 Senators who voted against the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, a bill that provided funding for research and benefits for up to 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service.

March 2023: Paul blocks bill to ban TikTok

In March 2023, Rand Paul blocked Senator Josh Hawley's "No TikTok on United States Devices Act", which would ban the app TikTok in the United States, citing First Amendment concerns.

October 10, 2023: Publication of 'Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up'

On October 10, 2023, Rand Paul published "Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up" with Regnery Publishing.

Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up

Check it on Amazon

November 2023: Led Letter to FDA Commissioner Regarding Animal Testing Regulations

In November 2023, Rand Paul led a bipartisan letter to FDA commissioner Robert Califf pressing the agency to update its regulations to align with the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 regarding animal testing.

2023: Festivus Report 2023

In 2023, Rand Paul's Festivus report alleged $900 billion in wasteful federal spending, including $8,395 for a lobster tank for the Pentagon.

January 11, 2024: Paul announces major announcement for Republican Primaries

On January 11, 2024, Rand Paul announced he had a major announcement about the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries planned for the following morning.

January 2024: Voted for Resolution on Human Rights Provisions for Israel Military Assistance

In January 2024, Rand Paul voted for a resolution proposed by Bernie Sanders to apply the human rights provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act to the Israel military assistance.

November 2024: Voted Against Resolution Disapproving Foreign Military Sale to Israel

In November 2024, Rand Paul voted against Sen. Sanders' joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.

January 2025: Introduced FDA Modernization Act 3.0

In January 2025, Rand Paul and Booker introduced a new version of the law, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, to force the FDA to revise its regulations.

February 2025: Criticized Trump's Statement on Taking Over Gaza Strip

In February 2025, after Trump announced that America "will take over the Gaza Strip," Rand Paul criticized the statement on Twitter (now X), arguing against another occupation and for an "America First" approach.

June 2025: Criticized Trump's Support for Israeli Strikes Against Iran

In June 2025, Rand Paul criticized Trump's support for Israeli strikes against Iran and opposed the possible involvement of the United States in the war.

2025: Festivus Report 2025

In 2025, Rand Paul's Festivus report alleged $1.6 trillion of wasteful spending, highlighting a Department of Veterans Affairs-funded effort "teaching teenage ferrets how to binge drink."

2090: September 11th Victim Compensation Fund renewal until 2090

In July 2019, a bill to renew the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund until the year 2090 was proposed, but it was blocked by Rand Paul and Senator Mike Lee.