· policy

Rand Paul on Government Spending

Vocal spending critic (strong)

TL;DR

Rand Paul strongly opposes current levels of government spending, advocating for deep, consistent, and balanced budget cuts across the board.

Key Points

He introduced the Pennies Plan budget, which proposes cutting federal spending by two cents per dollar spent annually for five years to balance the budget.
He forced a vote in the Senate on his amendment to the Continuing Resolution to cut discretionary spending by two percent, which failed.
His annual Festivus report highlights examples of wasteful spending, such as over $1.8 billion in overages for a delayed NASA shuttle component.

Summary

Rand Paul vigorously opposes what he terms the Senate's "reckless spending," arguing it is the primary driver of the massive national deficit, even when federal revenue increases. He consistently pushes for amendments to reduce discretionary spending levels, such as proposing a two percent annual cut across the board through his Pennies Plan to balance the budget over five years without touching Social Security. He asserts that while the public and even beneficiaries understand the need for cuts, Congress consistently votes against fiscal restraint to satisfy special interests and political expediency.

His efforts to restore fiscal responsibility are often highlighted through his annual Festivus report, which details a wide array of what he considers egregious government waste, including spending on overseas projects, questionable scientific research, and inefficient government programs. The senator views this spending as directly harming hardworking Americans through inflation and rising interest rates on the national debt, which has reached nearly forty trillion dollars. He advocates for measures to curb this behavior, such as attempting to cut spending in continuing resolutions and opposing subsidies for certain industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rand Paul's core position on government spending?

Rand Paul holds a strong, negative position on current government spending, viewing it as fiscally reckless and the main cause of the national deficit. He consistently advocates for significant cuts across the federal budget to restore fiscal sanity. He proposes structural changes, like his Pennies Plan, to mandate annual reductions until the budget is balanced.

How does Rand Paul propose to reduce government spending?

The senator proposes broad, across-the-board reductions, such as his Pennies Plan, which aims to cut spending by two percent per year for five years to balance the budget without touching Social Security. He also campaigns against specific wasteful expenditures, detailing them in his annual Festivus report to bring attention to questionable allocations.

Has Rand Paul taken action against spending in the Senate?

Yes, Dr. Paul has actively taken legislative action by securing votes on amendments to continuing resolutions that propose spending cuts. He also uses his position on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs to investigate and publicize instances of government waste. He condemned a majority vote that supported the status quo over his proposed cuts.