Rand Paul

U.S. Senator · KY

Republican

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Where Rand stands

Positions inferred from the public record. Each one shows our confidence level — and when the evidence isn't there, we say so.

What should the federal government's overall approach to taxes and spending be?
Clear record
Cut taxes and reduce federal spending significantly
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Sponsored the Penny Plan to Enhance Infrastructure Act limiting discretionary spending; voted no on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 13 votes · 26 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Aug 2026 — Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
Voted Yes · Jul 2026 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
+8 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2027 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036.
Sponsored — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Sponsored — End Taxpayer Subsidies for Electric Vehicles Act
Sponsored — Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2025
Sponsored — Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2025
+21 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
Some evidence
Restructure Social Security and Medicare with private options and reduced future benefits
Reduce or restructure benefitsExpand benefits
Sponsored Medicare Patient Empowerment Act allowing private contracting outside Medicare across three Congresses; voted against Social Security Fairness Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 6 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted No · Dec 2024 — Social Security Fairness Act of 2023
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Legalizing Premium Health Care Act of 2026
Sponsored — Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2023
Sponsored — Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025
Cosponsored — Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act
+1 more
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Clear record
Reduce federal labor regulation; let states and markets set wages and conditions
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
Sponsored National Right-to-Work Act; cosponsored Davis-Bacon Repeal Act; voted to nullify NLRB joint-employer rule and against Paycheck Fairness Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 9 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Apr 2024 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Voted No · Jul 2023 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
Voted No · Dec 2022 — Providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100.
Voted Present · Dec 2022 — To provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — National Right-to-Work Act
Cosponsored — OSHA ETS Clarification Act of 2022
Cosponsored — FOCA Act
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to a "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Cosponsored — Employee Rights Act
+4 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Clear record
Move away from the ACA toward market-based insurance with broader consumer choice
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Sponsored Health Savings Accounts For All Act and Health Marketplace for All Act; voted against Lower Health Care Costs Act premium credit extension.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 6 votes · 36 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jan 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability".
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Voted No · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Oct 2025 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
+1 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act
Sponsored — Health Savings Accounts For All Act of 2025
Sponsored — Excluding Illegal Aliens from Medicaid Act
Sponsored — Restore Prescription Drugs Discount Act
Sponsored — Health Marketplace for All Act of 2025
+31 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Prioritize energy affordability and reliability; minimize climate-related restrictions on production
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Sponsored Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act and End Taxpayer Subsidies for Electric Vehicles Act; voted to reopen ANWR and coal leasing.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 16 votes · 15 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted No · Jan 2026 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
+11 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2025
Sponsored — End Taxpayer Subsidies for Electric Vehicles Act
Sponsored — EASE Act of 2022
Sponsored — Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2021
Sponsored — Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act
+10 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Clear record
Federal restrictions on abortion early in pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Sponsored Life at Conception Act and Defund Planned Parenthood Act; voted against Right to IVF Act and Reproductive Freedom for Women Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 21 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Jan 2025 — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voted No · Sep 2024 — Right to IVF Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Defund Planned Parenthood Act
Sponsored — Life at Conception Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Cosponsored — Abortion Is Not Health Care Act of 2021
Cosponsored — No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2021
+16 more
What should federal firearms policy be?
Clear record
Expand firearm rights nationally (concealed carry reciprocity, reduced federal restrictions)
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
Cosponsored National Constitutional Carry Act and SHORT Act; voted against Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and to nullify ATF stabilizing-brace rule.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 7 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Jun 2023 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".
Voted No · Jun 2022 — Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts Your Rights Act
Cosponsored — National Constitutional Carry Act
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Definition of 'Frame or Receiver' and Identification of Firearms".
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to Definition of "Frame or Receiver" and Identification of Firearms.
Cosponsored — Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025
+2 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Clear record
Pair stronger border security with expanded legal immigration pathways
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Voted for Laken Riley Act and Secure America Act enforcement; sponsored BELIEVE Act and H-2A Modernization expanding legal immigration visas.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 18 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
Did not vote · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect United States citizenship.
Sponsored — End Welfare for Noncitizens Act
Sponsored — Excluding Illegal Aliens from Medicaid Act
Sponsored — An original resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the President of the United States possesses legal authority under existing law to take immediate and necessary action to secure the southwest border of the United States.
Sponsored — Paperwork Reduction for Farmers and H–2A Modernization Act
+13 more
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Some evidence
End mandatory minimums, set federal policing standards, decriminalize drugs
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Sponsored the Justice Safety Valve Act allowing below-mandatory-minimum sentences and the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act prohibiting no-knock warrants.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 17 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted Yes · Mar 2025 — HALT Fentanyl Act
Voted No · Apr 2024 — Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Voted Yes · May 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Voted Yes · Mar 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Fourth Amendment Restoration and Protection Act of 2026
Sponsored — Justice for Breonna Taylor Act
Sponsored — FAIR Act of 2025
Sponsored — Fourth Amendment Restoration and Protection Act
Sponsored — Justice Safety Valve Act of 2021
+12 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
America First: reduce foreign commitments, fewer alliances, no nation-building
Sponsored the End Endless Wars Act and arms-sale disapprovals for Saudi Arabia and Taiwan; voted repeatedly to end unauthorized hostilities against Iran.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 13 votes · 44 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jul 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
Voted Yes · Jul 2026 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
+8 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Fourth Amendment Restoration and Protection Act of 2026
Sponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sales to the Government of Ukraine of certain defense articles and services.
Sponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sales to Taiwan of certain defense articles and services.
Sponsored — Stop Funding Religiously Oppressive Regimes Act of 2025
Sponsored — A joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Syria that have not been authorized by Congress.
+39 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Clear record
Strengthen election integrity through voter ID, citizenship verification, and signature checks
Cosponsored the SAVE Act requiring citizenship documentation; voted to advance a federal photo-identification voting requirement in 2026.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 11 votes · 9 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Aug 2026 — A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Sep 2022 — DISCLOSE Act of 2022
Voted Yes · Jan 2022 — Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
Voted No · Nov 2021 — John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
+6 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Write the Laws Act
Sponsored — One Subject at a Time Act
Sponsored — No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2024
Sponsored — Read the Bills Act
Sponsored — Defund the Ministry of Truth Act of 2022
+4 more

Where Rand stands

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