Sen. Rand Paul criticizes GOP "hypocrisy" on debt …
Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul is slamming members of his party for being "hypocritical" for passing both tax cuts and spending increases. Paul's comments on CBS News' "Face the Nation" come just days after President Trump signed a $400 billion budget deal, ending a brief federal government shutdown on Friday that came after Paul held up a key vote in the Senate.
"I think if you're for tax cuts and for increasing spending that's hypocritical. But if you're for tax cuts and you're also for cutting spending a corresponding amount -- see, I would offset the tax cuts with spending cuts, and there are a few of us that would actually do that," said Paul on Sunday.
Paul voted for the tax cut package last year that experts said would add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.
"I voted for the tax cuts and I voted for spending cuts. The people who voted for tax cuts and spending increases -- I think there is some hypocrisy there and it shows they're not serious about the debt," he added.
Paul, who was instrumental in derailing Senate leaders' plan to drive the budget agreement quickly through the Senate by repeatedly blocking a Thursday vote, says he thinks lawmakers should "draw attention to the fact that we're spending so much money."
"I'm still against deficit spending just because Republicans are doing it doesn't make it any better."
The budget agreement reached between Republicans and Democrats is married to a six-week temporary funding bill needed to keep the government operating and provide time to implement the budget pact. Paul held up the vote late Thursday for as long as he was able to under Senate rules.
Once Paul's time was up, the measure, backed by the Senate's top leaders, sailed through the chamber by a 71-28 vote. The House approved the legislation with a 240-186 vote hours after the Senate OK'd the deal.
Paul told CBS News' Major Garrett on Sunday that he's "very worried" about military spending increases. The budget deal raises the spending caps on defense and domestic spending by $300 billion over the next two years.
"I think one of the questions the Republicans, I think, are not willing to ask themselves is, can you be fiscally conservative and be for unlimited military spending?" said Paul.
The president hailed the boost in military spending on Friday, tweeting, "Our Military will now be stronger than ever before. We love and need our Military and gave them everything and more."
But Paul said Republicans are "unwilling to confront that they want more, more, more for military spending and so to get that they have to give the Democrats what they want, which is more and more and more for domestic spending. "
The senator said while some welcomed the bipartisan agreement reached between the two parties, he said it's "exploding the deficit."
"I'm not so sure that's the kind of bipartisanship we need," he added.
Paul also took issue with the military's mission abroad, saying it's "beyond what we need to be."
"We're actively in war in about seven countries, and yet the Congress hasn't voted on declaring or authorizing the use of military force in over 15 years now," Paul said.
He added, pointing to the war in Afghanistan, "We're spending 50 billion dollars a year. And if the president really is serious about infrastructure, a lot of that money could be spent at home. Instead of building bridges and schools and roads in Afghanistan or in Pakistan."
2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Visit link:
Sen. Rand Paul criticizes GOP "hypocrisy" on debt ...
- Sen. Rand Paul has formally called on the heads of ICE, CBP, and USCIS to testify at an open Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing: Today, I call... - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- Rand Paul calls for immigration officials to testify before Congress - lpm.org - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- Rand Paul Asks Trump Officials to Testify to Justify Immigration Funding - Newsweek - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- Rand Paul Calls Heads Of ICE, CBP To Testify Before The Homeland Security Committee After Killing Of Alex Petti - International Business Times - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- Rand Paul Turns Against Section 230, Citing YouTube Video Accusing Him of Taking Money From Maduro - Yahoo - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says personal experience with YouTube and Google changed his mind about platform liability - Fox News - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- The Rand Paul flip-flop heard round the nation - Washington Times - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Rand Paul turns against Section 230, citing YouTube video accusing him of taking money from Maduro - Reason Magazine - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Irate Sen. Rand Paul Ready to Strip YouTube's Legal Immunity over Controversial Maduro Video - Broadband Breakfast - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says personal experience with YouTube and Google changed his mind about platform liability - wccsradio.com - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- Rand Paul reverses on Section 230, says Big Techs lack of decency went too far - Washington Examiner - January 24th, 2026 [January 24th, 2026]
- 'There's no emergency': Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul urges Trump to back off Greenland invasion threats - WLWT - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Rand Paul and Tim Kaine on their push to curb Trumps war powers: Full interview - NBC News - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says US in 'active war' with Venezuela: 'I still hope it works out for the best' - Fox News - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- He Keeps Rattling the Cage! Rand Paul Trashes Trumps Greenland Threats - Yahoo - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Sens. Rand Paul, Tim Kaine try to put brakes on Trump again as Greenland tensions roil - New York Post - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Top 5 Moments from Joe Rogan's interview with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul - KEYE - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Rand Paul: I've changed my mind -- Google and YouTube can't be trusted to do the right thing and must be reined in - New York Post - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- INTERVIEWS WITH TREASURY SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT, SEN. TIM KAINE, SEN. RAND PAUL AND MAYOR JACOB FREY THIS SUNDAY ON MEET THE PRESS WITH KRISTEN... - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Rand Paul skeptical US will use military to take Greenland - Washington Examiner - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- 'There's no emergency': Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul urges Trump to back off Greenland invasion threats - Yahoo - January 20th, 2026 [January 20th, 2026]
- Joe Rogan Compares ICE to the Gestapo On Podcast With Rand Paul - Yahoo - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Some of this still confuses me: Sen. Rand Paul - Fox Business - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says Trump's threat to bomb Iran 'is not the answer': Not the 'job of the American government' - Fox News - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Dr. Rand Paul introduces the End Welfare for Non-Citizens Act - Middlesboro News - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Rand Paul rips Trump, fellow Republicans over drug boat strikes: They dont give a s about these people - New York Post - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Joe Rogan Experience: #2437 with Rand Paul (Transcript) - The Singju Post - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says GOP colleagues 'dont give a s- about these people in the boats': They 'say theyre pro-life' - Fox News - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Smith: Rand Paul has winning plan for healthcare coverage - Boston Herald - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Top 5 Moments from Joe Rogan's interview with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul - WUHF - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Rand Paul Opposes U.S. Attacks Against Iran: 'I Don't Think It Will Help The Situation, It Will Make It Worse' - Latin Times - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says Pam Bondi still hasnt acted on his criminal referral of Fauci - Washington Examiner - January 18th, 2026 [January 18th, 2026]
- Rand Paul: Bombing Iran is not the answer - Politico - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says bombing Iran will help regime as Trump considers strikes - The Independent - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Rand Paul Warns Trumps Greenland Plan Is Backfiring: You Dont Win Them Over By Denigrating Their Citizens - Yahoo - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Rand Paul Makes It Clear: "I will do everything in my power to stop any kind of military takeover in Greenland" - 19FortyFive - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Rand Paul shows support for Trump's withdrawal from global organizations - KATU - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Rand Paul shows support for Trump's withdrawal from global organizations - National News Desk - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Sen. Rand Paul vows to fight Trump's proposed Greenland invasion: 'Congress has the power to limit the president' - WHAS11 - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- WSAZ+ | U.S. Senator Rand Paul talks with WSAZ - WSAZ - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Elon Musk Said Rand Paul Is the One Person in Washington Who 'Gets It' - Reason Magazine - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Rand Paul: Diplomacy, not invasion, is the way to deal with Greenland - WHAS11 - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- U.S. Senator Rand Paul Declares: "I will do everything in my power to stop any kind of military takeover in Greenland" - 19FortyFive - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks to reporters about a war powers resolution regarding Venezuela on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Washington.... - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Rand Paul: Biden FBI tracked Catholic teacher with no Jan 6 ties in 'weaponized' probe - Yahoo - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says "I will do everything in my power to stop any kind of military takeover in Greenland" - CBS News - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Rand Paul: Biden FBI tracked Catholic teacher with no Jan 6 ties in 'weaponized' probe - Fox News - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Rand Paul says Venezuelan operation was an act of war - Washington Examiner - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Rand Paul Accuses Trump of Being Under the Thrall of Lindsey Graham After Venezuela Invasion - Yahoo - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Rand Paul Releases Festivus Report Detailing $1.6 Trillion in Government Waste - Focus on the Family - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Cocaine Dogs and Safe Space Ambassadors: Rand Paul Highlights Wild Government Waste in Annual Festivus Report - National Review - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Rand Paul's 'Festivus Report' calls out cocaine dogs, COVID influencers and a mountain of debt - Fox News - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Who Are They Protecting? Rand Paul Swipes at Trump DOJ Over Epstein Files in Airing of Grievances - Yahoo - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul urges full Epstein file release to restore trust in government - WHAS11 - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Sen. Rand Paul & Charlamagne Tha God, Sunday on This Week with Co-anchor Jonathan Karl - ABC News - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Slams Slams Trump Admin's Seizure Of Tankers Off Venezuela: 'A Provocation And a Prelude To War' - Latin Times - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Tis The Season: Rand Paul's 'Festivus' Report - RealClearPolicy - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul does not want Vice President J.D. Vance to be the next president - Washington Times - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Rand Paul's 'Festivus' report calls out cocaine dogs, COVID influencers and a mountain of debt - FOX 8 TV - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Set To Join Dems To Force Trump To Go Through Congress If He Wants To Declare War Against Venezuela - Latin Times - December 2nd, 2025 [December 2nd, 2025]
- Nancy Maces Political Consultant Resigns Over Her Closeness With Rand Paul, Thomas Massie, Saying Trump Should Not Endorse Her - The New York Sun - December 2nd, 2025 [December 2nd, 2025]
- Trump touts GOP unity while slamming Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie and Rand Paul - New York Post - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul says he has been given "zero, not one briefing" about Venezuelan actions - CBS News - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- Trump online threats, posture toward Venezuela posture draw criticism from Sen. Rand Paul - WUKY - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Again Slams Trump Admin Over Campaign Against Venezuela: 'If It's War, Declare It' - Latin Times - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul weighs in on Kentucky hemp, effects of the government shutdown and the improvements of it - WDRB - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- 'His Movement Will Dissolve': Rand Paul Warns Trump That 1 Decision Could Ruin Him - Yahoo - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul Slams Alcohol And Marijuana Interests Over Federal Hemp Ban, Announcing He'll File A Bill To Reverse It Next Week - Marijuana Moment - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- 'His Movement Will Dissolve': Rand Paul Warns Trump That 1 Decision Could Ruin Him - HuffPost - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul Eyes Returning Hemp Policy To The States - Law360 - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- 'The nanny state' | Sen. Rand Paul pitches restoring power to the states to regulate hemp - WHAS11 - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul: Congress Is 'Afraid of the President' - Reason Magazine - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul doubts there will be Earth-shattering details in Epstein files | CUOMO - Yahoo - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul Slams Strikes Against Alleged Drug Vessels, Claims It's Unclear Whether They Are Heading To The U.S. - Latin Times - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul Slams GOP's Shift From Fiscal Conservatism: They Voted To Add '$5 Trillion' To The Debt Ceiling Calls It 'Decimation' - Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)... - November 23rd, 2025 [November 23rd, 2025]
- Rand Paul: The government is open, but a hemp industry shutdown has just begun | Opinion - The Courier-Journal - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Rand Paul warns McConnell-backed provision will regulate hemp industry to death - LINK nky - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Rand Paul warns McConnell-backed provision will regulate hemp industry to death - the-messenger.com - November 14th, 2025 [November 14th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul threatens to delay government reopening over hemp language - The Independent - November 11th, 2025 [November 11th, 2025]
- Black Tie CBD Stands with Senator Rand Paul to Defend the Future of Legal Hemp and THCA Products - Reuters - November 11th, 2025 [November 11th, 2025]