In the wake of a devastating tornado that left at least 64 people dead in Kentucky, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) asked President Joe Biden to expedite federal assistance for his state.
In a tweet on Sunday, Paul wrote, “This morning I sent a letter to [Biden] asking for expeditious approval of any request for federal assistance by our Governor.”
This morning I sent a letter to @POTUS asking for expeditious approval of any request for federal assistance by our Governor. If you are a Kentuckian & need assistance with federal agencies following the devastating & deadly storms, please contact my KY office at 270-782-8303. pic.twitter.com/7t01njodwY
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) December 11, 2021
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) tweeted, “Glad he is finally realizing states needing federal assistance after a disaster isn’t gritty, wasteful or being ‘compassionate with someone else’s money’. We are one Nation and should always be able to count on one another regardless of your state’s politics. This is America.”
His floor speech to refresh people’s memories. https://t.co/hHqMwnIzFK
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 12, 2021
She also shared a video of Paul criticizing federal aid during a 2017 speech on the Senate floor. He said, “People here will say they have great compassion and they want to help the people of Puerto Rico, the people of Texas, and the people of Florida but notice they have great compassion with someone else’s money.”
“You’ll find often that it’s easy to be compassionate with someone else’s money,” he added.
Other social media users pointed out Paul’s prior opposition to federal aid:
We must help Kentucky and the other states brutalized by tornadoes this weekend.
— Chris Hahn (@ChristopherHahn) December 12, 2021
However always remember, this is who Rand Paul is when it’s your state hit with a disaster.
pic.twitter.com/DLbcRrv1Y0
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. https://t.co/JkZQOZ4HuG
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) December 12, 2021
We must help Kentucky and the other states brutalized by tornadoes this weekend.
— Chris Hahn (@ChristopherHahn) December 12, 2021
However always remember, this is who Rand Paul is when it’s your state hit with a disaster.
pic.twitter.com/DLbcRrv1Y0
Rand Paul
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) December 11, 2021
runs to Biden
for federal assistance
faster than Ayn Rand
ran to her mailbox
for Social Security checks.
Who wants to bet Rand Paul won't have any problems accepting the socialism help Kentucky is about to get from the government?
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) December 12, 2021
When a storm hits their state vs when a storm hits your state pic.twitter.com/2KMUIIvPYl
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 11, 2021
CNN’s John Avlon on Monday said, “[Paul] has a long record of opposing federal aid for disaster victims, except, apparently, for when it impacts his constituents. Suddenly, all of those reflexive attacks on ‘socialist big-government spending’ don’t seem to apply.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul asked for federal aid for tornado victims, which is "pretty standard," except for the fact that he "has a long record of opposing federal aid for disaster victims," including those hit by Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, @JohnAvlon says. #RealityCheck pic.twitter.com/P4cIZ5vrOs
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) December 13, 2021
“It seems to be socialism for me but not for thee,” he continued. “If he was really trying to be a fiscal-conservative profile in courage, now would be the time for Rand Paul to insist that Kentuckians rely solely on local charities or reallocation of funds, rather than immediately asking President Biden for help. But of course, that would be an insult to his suffering constituents.