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Rand Paul (Kentucky)

State Senator • Republican

Role

US Senator

Born

January 7, 1963 (63 years old)

Office

United States

About

Randal Howard "Rand" Paul, born on January 7, 1963, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an American politician and physician serving as the junior United States Senator from Kentucky since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he identifies as a constitutional conservative and is associated with the Tea Party movement. Paul is the son of Ron Paul, a former U.S. Representative and three-time presidential candidate. Before entering politics, he practiced ophthalmology in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for 17 years.

Education and Political Experience

  • Education:

    • Attended Baylor University
    • Doctor of Medicine from Duke University School of Medicine

  • Political Experience:

    • Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010, re-elected in 2016 and 2022
    • Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs since 2025
    • Known for advocating limited government, fiscal responsibility, and individual liberties
    • Conducted a notable 13-hour filibuster in 2013 opposing the nomination of John O. Brennan as CIA Director, focusing on the U.S. government's drone policies
    • Introduced legislation on criminal justice reform, including the Justice Safety Valve Act and the REDEEM Act
    • Consistently opposed the USA PATRIOT Act, citing concerns over privacy and government overreach

Paul has been married to Kelley Ashby since 1990, and they have three sons. They reside in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and are active in their local church.

Committees

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

member

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Education and the American Family

member

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Primary Health and Retirement Security

member

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

chair

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Border Management, Federal Workforce and Regulatory Affairs

ex officio

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations

ex officio

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Disaster Management, District of Columbia and Census

ex officio

Small Business and Entrepreneurship

member

Foreign Relations

member

Foreign Relations Committee Africa and Global Health Policy

member

Foreign Relations Committee Europe and Regional Security Cooperation

member

Foreign Relations Committee Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions and International Economic, Energy and Environmental Policy

member

Foreign Relations Committee State Department and USAID Management, International Operations and Bilateral International Development

member