Rand Paul week in review

A Victory in Reining in the EPA

This week, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its opinion in the case Sackett v. EPA, in a 9-0 decision, providing some measure of relief to those who wish to challenge the heavy-handed enforcement of an out-of-control Environmental Protection Agency.

The Sacketts are part of a growing group of families and businesses that have been subject to reckless, arbitrary and aggressive enforcement by the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers. But from this point forward, citizens like the Sacketts will be able to challenge the EPA in court before huge fines and other actions are levied against them. Read my entire statement by clicking HERE.

(Chantell and Mike Sackett [far right] on Oct. 12, 2011, at the “Property Wrongs” hearing, hosted by Sen. Paul)

It is not an overstatement to say that the EPA and the Corps are waging a war against private property owners in the United States. Which is why in February, I introduced S.2122, the Defense of Environment and Property Act, a necessary first step towards protecting families who have now given up years of their lives defending themselves against their own government. I penned an op-ed in the American Legislator on the issue HERE.

To learn more about the Defense of Environment and Property Act, please visit my website.

Sen. Paul and Rep. Whitfield Seek to Halt EPA Grants Being Awarded to Projects outside the United States

Also this week, I, along with Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01), introduced legislation that will prevent the EPA from awarding grant money to projects outside of the United States. At a time when our nation faces a debt crisis, we must rein in spending and make every taxpayer dollar wisely spent. Sending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars overseas is reckless and another instance of an out-of-control EPA. Read our entire statement HERE.

Roundtable with Community Leaders in Bardstown

I began the week on a trip to Bardstown, Ky., where I met with various civic and business leaders for a round-table meeting at the production facility of the Flowers Baking Company. Members of the banking, manufacturing, non-profit and government sectors voiced their concerns – many of them specifically focused on job crushing government regulations and the enormous costs associated with them.

Marion and Nelson County Town Hall

That afternoon I traveled to St. Catharine College in Washington County and met with school President William Huston and his faculty. The college hosted a town hall where eighty-five participants (students, faculty, and citizens from various parts of Kentucky) gathered in an auditorium. Following my opening remarks, I took questions from the audience for the remainder of the program. The topic of discussion ranged from the jobs and the economy to gas prices and U.S. foreign policy.

The Export-Import Bank and Corporate Welfare

On Tuesday, I introduced several amendments that would reduce the scope, power, and corporate welfare functions of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. These amendments would essentially bring an end to the U.S. government subsidizing loans to multinational corporations with taxpayer dollars.

Speaking out against the inherent corruption of corporate welfare, I took to the Senate floor. Click HERE or below to watch video of my floor speech.

Obama Administration Waiving Egypt Aid Restrictions

News organizations reported Thursday afternoon that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waived Congressional restrictions on $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt. Not only does this action condone the human rights abuses Egypt committed against American pro-democracy workers earlier this year, it sets a precedent that America will not punish its aggressors, but instead, give them billions of our taxpayers’ dollars. Read my entire statement HERE.

Staff Hold Mobile Office Hours Across The Commonwealth

During the past week, my staff held mobile office hours in areas affected by the recent storms, including Laurel, Magoffin, Menifee and Morgan Counties. We will continue to hold office hours in affected areas as long as necessary. Individuals who may need help with the VA, Social Security, Medicare, the IRS, or other federal agencies are encouraged to visit or contact my staff.

Eastern Kentucky: Chris Musgrave, (859) 338-7348 cell, chris_musgrave@paul.senate.gov

Southeastern Kentucky: Bryan Mills, (606) 854-3296 cell, bryan_mills@paul.senate.gov

Northern Kentucky: Bernie Kunkel, (859) 322-3499 cell, bernard_kunkel@paul.senate.gov

North Central Kentucky: Jennifer Decker, (502)572-8334 cell,jennifer_decker@paul.senate.gov

FEMA Assistance

FEMA authorized assistance for individuals in areas affected by the storms. Currently, individual assistance funding is available to people in Bath, Campbell, Carroll, Grant, Grayson, Johnson, Kenton, LaRue, Laurel, Lawrence, Martin, Magoffin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Rowan, Russell and Trimble and Wolfe counties. Assistance for individuals can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs.

Renters, homeowners and business owners may qualify for help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, they must apply for assistance. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes. Registration is available online at www.DisasterAssistance.govor by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Also, 14 counties are now eligible for Public Assistance, which provides reimbursements to county and local governments to repair public infrastructure or to remove storm debris. Those counties are Ballard, Grant, Johnson, Kenton, LaRue, Laurel, Lawrence,  Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Morgan Pendleton, Trimble, and Wolfe.

Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers in areas affected by the storms:

Johnson County
Paintsville Recreation Center
232 Preston Street
Paintsville, KY 41240

Kenton County

Goshen Christian Church
1773 Bracht Piner Road
Morning View, KY 41063

Laurel County
CD Ward Masonic Lodge
201 School Street
East Bernstadt, KY 40729

Lawrence County
Lawrence County Community Center
180 Bulldog Lane
Louisa, KY 41230

Magoffin County
First Baptist Church
134 Dixie Avenue
Salyersville, KY 41465

Martin County
Roy F. Collier Community Center
387 E. Main Street
Inez, KY 41224

Menifee County
Menifee County Fire Station
44 McCausey Ridge Road
Frenchburg, KY 40322

Morgan County
Kentucky Housing Corporation
1084 Highway 7
West Liberty, KY 41472

Pendleton County
Butler Baptist Church
107 Peoples Street
Butler, KY 41006

The DRC’s hours of operation will be from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

How Can You Help?

Here are just some of the ways to volunteer or donate to help tornado victims:

Christian Appalachian Project – The Christian Appalachian Project is on the ground in all disaster zones providing shelters, shower facilities, and supplies. For more information and to donate please visit: http://www.christianapp.org/2012/03/tornado-outbreak-hits-appalachia/

East KY Tornado Relief Fund – The East KY Tornado Relief Fund has been set up to help those hurt by the tornado. Donations can be made at any Community Trust Bank or you can mail them to East KY Tornado Relief Fund in care of the Foundation for Appalachian KY, P.O. Box 310, Chavies, KY 41727.

Kentucky Cares Campaign – The Kentucky Cares Campaign is also collecting donations.  To give to the campaign:

• Text Redcross to 90999.
• Go to Redcross.org and give to the Disaster Relief Fund.
• Drop a check off at any Central Bank location.
• Mail a check to 1450 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Ky. 40511, with Kentucky Cares in the memo line.

Media Wrap-Up

This week I appeared on Fox’s American’s Newsroom HQ with Martha MacCullam and Bill Hemmer. I also spoke with several Kentucky radio stations including: WLAP’s Leland Conway in Lexington and WEKU’s Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, as well as those across the country.

You can find updates on what I’m doing by visiting my Senate website, www.paul.senate.govand you can follow my official Twitter account HERE. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Don’t forget to become a fan of my official Facebook page for other timely updates.

Warm Regards,