This Week in News for Senator Rand Paul- January 17, 2014

RAND'S NEWSLETTER UPDATE   JANUARY 17, 2014   Please allow me to update you on some of this week's happenings in Washington, D.C. Dr. Paul Commemorates the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Over this holiday weekend, we should celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his influence and call for ending injustice in America. It is simply unimaginable to think what modern America would be like if not for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s courage and triumph. When one sees an injustice so great, he or she must make a choice-to continue tolerating the injustice or make sacrifices in the name of stopping it. Thankfully for us, Dr. King made sacrifices and chose the path less traveled. In years to come, we must keep building the kind of America that is worthy of his memory and that our children-of every race, creed and color-deserve. Dr. Rand Paul Responds to President Obama's Proposed NSA Reform Earlier today, President Obama presented a plan to reform the National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance program. While I am encouraged the president is addressing the NSA spying program because of pressure from Congress and the American people, I am disappointed in the details. The Fourth Amendment requires an individualized warrant based on probable cause before the government can search phone records and e-mails. President Obama's announced solution to the NSA spying controversy is the same unconstitutional program with a new configuration. I intend to continue the fight to restore Americans rights through my Fourth Amendment Restoration Act and my legal challenge against the NSA. The American people should not expect the fox to guard the hen house. Click HERE to read my response in its entirety and HERE to watch my reaction. Dr. Paul Introduces the Uphold Our Promise to Veterans Act Also on Thursday, I joined Rep. Ted Poe (R-Tex.) in introducing the Uphold Our Promise to Veterans Act. This bill would repeal the provisions under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that reduces cost-of-living adjustments below inflation for retired veterans under the age of 62 and restore funding by eliminating foreign aid to certain countries and authorizing the sale of some Federal lands. Rep. Poe and I voted against the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 that implemented the cost-of-living adjustments cuts for veterans. In a failed effort to save $6.2 billion over the next ten years, Congress and the president broke a financial promise to the veterans of this nation with the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. In addition to stripping veterans of their promised retirement compensations, the budget does not balance the budget and raises taxes for all Americans. We owe it to the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces to protect their livelihood, just as they have protected ours- and the Uphold Our Promise to Veterans Act will do just that. I will continue to do all I can in support of our nation's veterans. Click HERE to read more about the Uphold Our Promise to Veterans Act. Dr. Paul Commends Kentucky House for Passing Restoration of Voting Rights Amendment On Thursday, the Kentucky House of Representatives passed House Bill 70, a proposed constitutional amendment that would restore the right to vote for non-violent felons who have completed their sentences.  The bill passed by a vote of 82-12. I commend the Kentucky House for passing HB 70 and taking this step forward in restoring voting rights for non-violent felons in the Commonwealth. The right to vote is a sacred one in our country and it is the very foundation of our republic. I urge the Kentucky Senate to act on this very important issue. Click HERE to read my statement in its entirety. Dr. Paul Speaks at the 20th Anniversary of Center for the National Interest Also on Tuesday, I joined the Center for the National Interest to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. In my speech, I discussed America's foreign policy and our role in international affairs. Colin Powell was fond of saying that "War should be the politics of last resort. We should have a purpose our people understand and support." I agree. When America is attacked or our interests directly threatened, our country should and will defend itself with the force and authority of our collective wills. I believe we should approach diplomacy from the notion that dialogue is nearly always preferable to war but that potential enemies should never mistake, as Reagan put it, "Our reluctance for war, with a lack of resolve." Click HERE to watch my speech in its entirety. Dr. Paul Introduces Bill to Repeal AUMF for Iraq Earlier this week, I joined Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in introducing legislation to repeal the Authorization of Military Force (AUMF) for Iraq and officially bring the Iraq war to a close. This bipartisan effort is co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Two years ago, President Obama declared the war in Iraq over. With the return of our troops and practical side of the mission concluded, I feel it is necessary to bring the war to an official and legal end. This bipartisan piece of legislation expressly preserves the president's authority to protect our embassy and personnel in Iraq, and ensures that our military involvement in Iraq is officially closed and that any future engagement will require Congressional authorization and support, as required by the Constitution. Click HERE to read my bill in its entirety. Dr. Paul and Sen. McConnell Push Legislation to HELP Rural Counties in Kentucky Earlier this week, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and I introduced legislation to help rural counties in Kentucky who are being hurt by the Obama Administration's policies, as established by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which restrict rural lending practices. The HELP Rural Communities Act would give rural counties in Kentucky a voice when the CFPB has incorrectly labeled them as "non-rural"--just another example of this administration's one-size-fits-all, we-know-best approach to governing. Several counties in Kentucky, such as Bath County, have been labeled as "non-rural," and are therefore barred from certain rural lending practices that are helpful to farmers and small businesses. This important legislation will provide an opportunity for rural communities across the country to challenge big government bureaucracies, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, from improperly designating them as "non-rural."  Rural communities rely heavily on this designation, as it allows financial institutions to provide important financial products and credit to small businesses and farmers who depend on it in these areas. I will continue to work diligently with the Kentucky delegation to pass this legislation for the betterment of our rural areas. Click HERE to read my statement in its entirety. Dr. Paul Speaks at 2014 Index of Economic Freedom Forum On Tuesday, I spoke at the Heritage Foundation's annual Index of Economic Freedom forum.  At this forum I discussed the current state of our individual and economic freedoms under the Obama Administration. Click HERE to watch my speech. Share Your Obamacare Stories Since the implementation of Obamacare, hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians have received cancellation notices from their current health care providers. For every Kentuckian that has enrolled in Obamacare, 40 have been dropped from their coverage. Obamacare has been presented to the American people through twisted rhetoric, smoke and mirrors.  Obamacare is not good for America and it certainly not good for Kentucky. I would like you hear how Obamacare affected you, your family or your small business. Share your story by visiting my website:http://www.paul.senate.gov/ Click HERE to listen to my Obamacare horror story. Media Wrap-Up This past week, I appeared on Fox's America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren and spoke with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. I joined Terry Meiners on WHAS Louisville, News Talk with Lee Burke, Tom Roten's Eastern Kentucky Morning Show and several national radio shows throughout the week as well. I also penned an op-ed for the Floyd County Times. Have An Issue Or Concern? If you are a Kentucky resident and need assistance with a federal agency or concern, feel free to contact the Bowling Green office (270-782-8303) to have a discussion with the appropriate staff member. Stay in Touch with Sen. Paul's Social Media You can find updates on what I'm doing by visiting my Senate website,www.paul.senate.gov and you can follow my official Google+ accountHERE. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Don't forget to become a fan of my official Facebook page and my official Instagram page for other timely updates. Warm Regards,