Please allow me to update you on this week's happenings in Washington, D.C.

RAND'S NEWSLETTER UPDATE   FEBRUARY 14, 2014   Please allow me to update you on this week's happenings in Washington, D.C. Dr. Rand Paul  Meets with Director of Fish and Wildlife Earlier this week, I joined Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Reps. Hal Rogers (KY-05) and Ed Whitfield (KY-01) in a meeting with Daniel M. Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We discussed the water levels at Lake Cumberland and urged the agency to complete its study on the duskytail darter, a 2.5 inch minnow on the federal endangered species list, in a timely manner that would allow for restoring the pre-2007 water levels on which the local community relies. This is an issue of great importance to our state and we appreciate Dan Ashe coming to the Capitol today to hear our concerns regarding the water level of Lake Cumberland and its impact on the Kentucky economy and jobs. The past seven years of reduced water levels have not only hurt small businesses that rely on tourism, but have also strained local governments as local towns have had to lower their water intake. We urge the U.S. Fish & Wildlife to move quickly and ensure the water levels of Lake Cumberland are raised adequately to support tourism prior to the peak season in 2014.  (Dr. Rand Paul, Sens. Mitch McConnell, and Lamar Alexander, Reps. Hal Rogers and Ed Whitfield with Director Daniel M. Ashe- February 11, 2014)  Dr. Rand Paul Announces 2014 Service Academy Nominations On Tuesday, I announced my nominations to the U.S. service academies, consisting of 40 individuals from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A very rewarding aspect of being a United States Senator is the opportunity to nominate young men and women from across the state to attend our nation's prestigious service academies. I commend each of these students for their dedication and desire to serve in the United States military, and wish them the best through the remainder of the selection process. I have no doubt the students chosen will proudly represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the service academies. Click HERE to read my entire statement. Dr. Rand Paul Speaks at the Vera Institute of Justice Public Forum Also on Tuesday, I had the honor of speaking at the Vera Institute of Justice Public Forum on Criminal Justice. I discussed the need to mandatory minimum sentencing reforms and the restoration of voting rights. I also met with Attorney General Eric Holder to further the implementation of these much needed reforms within our justice system. Sentencing and voting reforms are not a Republican or Democrat issue, but rather an issue of justice and personal freedom.  Dr. Rand Paul Meets with Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute On Tuesday, I also had the opportunity to sit down with members of the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute. We discussed small business, environmental regulations and other issues that directly affect their industry. (Dr. Rand Paul and the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute- February 11, 2014) Dr. Rand Paul Meets with Kentucky Rural Water Association On Wednesday morning, I met with the Kentucky Rural Water Association and addressed the various regulations implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency.  We also discussed my Lake Cumberland water levels initiative.  Dr. Rand Paul, Sen. Mitch McConnell, Commissioner James Comer to Participate in Events Across Eastern Kentucky Next Week Next Monday, Feb. 17, Sen. Mitch McConnell and I will join Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer for a special announcement for Eastern Kentucky. The event will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Knott County Sportsplex in Leburn.  We will also participate in several other events across the region on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 18. Sen. McConnell will join us for the stops in Hazard, Hyden and London; Commissioner Comer will be on hand for each event. Here is more info: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR EASTERN KENTUCKY IN KNOTT COUNTY 10:00 a.m. ET Knott County Sportsplex, 450 Kenny Champion Loop, Leburn, KY 41831 HAZARD/PERRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCH EVENT Noon ET Hazard Community College, One Community College Dr., Hazard, KY 41701 COMMUNITY FORUM IN LESLIE COUNTY 1:45 p.m. ET Leslie County Courthouse, Circuit Court Room, 22010 Main St., Hyden, KY 41749 MEET AND GREET EVENT IN JACKSON COUNTY 3:45 p.m. ET Jackson County Regional Food Center and Farmers Market, 366 Hwy. 3443, Tyner, KY 40486 MEET AND GREET EVENT IN LAUREL COUNTY 5:00 p.m. ET Wildcat Harley-Davidson, 575 East Hal Rogers Pkwy., London, KY 40741 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 COFFEE SHOP MEET AND GREET EVENT IN WHITLEY COUNTY 8:00 a.m. ET Dixie Cafe of Corbin, 208 S Main St., Corbin, KY 40701 COMMUNITY FORUM IN HARLAN 10:00 a.m. ET Harlan Center, 201 South Main St., Harlan, KY 40831 SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCH EVENT IN PIKEVILLE Noon ET Hilton Garden Inn, 849 Hambley Blvd., Pikeville, KY 41501 Media Wrap-Up This past week, I appeared on Fox's Hannity & On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, and CNN's OutFront with Erin Burnett & The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. I also spoke with several radio stations across the country, as well as stations in Kentucky including Leland Conway of WLAP, Jack Pattie of WVLK, and Jim Brooks & Albert Stratton of WBRT. I also penned an op-ed on CNN, titled "Stop the NSA while we still can." 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. 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+ account HERE. 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,   John Hames