Posted on 12/18/2021 10:10:26 PM PST by RandFan
Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul lashed out at critics who called him a hypocrite for requesting federal funds when his state was devastated by tornadoes, but he has a lengthy history of opposing disaster-relief bills, The Washington Post reported.
On Saturday, the morning after a storm created historic tornadoes, Paul wrote President Joe Biden a letter asking him to move "expeditiously to approve the appropriate resources for our state."
The most damage and destruction hit Kentucky, with more than 70 people killed.
"We should do all we can to help our Kentucky neighbors. God be with them — they are hurting. But do not for one second forget that @RandPaul has voted against helping most Americans most times they're in need," Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell wrote in a tweet.
In 2013, after Hurricane Sandy, Paul opposed a disaster-relief measure for the Northeast and told WFPL in Louisville, Kentucky, that while the area needed help, he'd like to offset the cost with cuts elsewhere in the federal budget.
On Saturday, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar said on Twitter she's glad Paul "is finally realizing states needing federal assistance after a disaster isn't gritty, wasteful or being 'compassionate with someone else's money.'"
Paul told The Post on Tuesday that he's routinely requested emergency aid for Kentucky and that he has "never been opposed to the program, ever." He said he was opposed to using "borrowed" money to fund disaster relief and not offsetting the cost elsewhere in the federal budget.
"That's different than saying, 'Oh, he now wants it because it's in his state and he never wanted it,'" Paul told The Post. "I've never opposed anybody's disaster relief in any other state. I've just asked that it be paid for.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Rand opposes what's called supplemental disaster appropriation bills, unless offsetted.
The Kentucky money would come from the Disaster Relief Fund, which as of early December had $45 billion in it.
Screw Omar and Swalwell trying to make cheap political points.
Another Business Insider liar, lying by omission.
At least they included his quotes which is more than some other places did when trying to make out he’s a hypocrite
Yes, I was talking about the Brandon Media in general.
I haven't been really following the Rand Paul smear because I knew they were lying about it the minute I heard the accusation.
Rand is ambitious. He raised eyebrows with his anti-Israel vote just the other day.
Anyone here hear of Galveston and it’s hurricane from a hundred years ago? No help in the aftermath. They recovered just fine. Today there is more help available when disaster strikes. Just listen to Biden brag about the federal help he’s giving Kentucky. The democrat gov. couldn’t help but talk about the federal response-making it political.
Did Rand demand that aid to Kentucky for this disaster be offset as a condition for his support? I don’t know either way, but if yes, then he’s got a point here.
It’s already appropriated by Congress in the General relief fund
The Sandy example etc . were additional supplemental bills which he objects to
Ok, thanks. Sounds like he has a point then.
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