Rand Paul Votes in Favor of Pointing Lasers at Airplanes and Keeping Secret Holds to Block Nominees and Bills
Monday, February 07, 2011

Freshman Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) has demonstrated a willingness to go his own way, much like his maverick father, Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas).
For example, when the Senate took up an amendment to a Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that would outlaw the pointing of lasers at aircraft, the younger Paul was the only recorded “no” vote. According to the senator, many states already have such a law on the books, so why have the federal government pass one as well?
The rest of the Senate didn’t see things that way, and approved the amendment 96-1.
Paul also rejected a bipartisan plan to abolish the Senate rule allowing members to place secret holds on legislation or nominations. Again, the plan passed easily, 92-4, with Paul joined by three other Republicans, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Mike Lee of Utah and John Ensign of Nevada.
Now, senators will have their names published in the Congressional Record if they try delaying a bill or appointee from coming up for a vote.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Rand Paul Follows Dad in Solo Dissent (by Danny Yadron, Wall Street Journal)
With Four Lawmakers Objecting, Senate Ends Practice of Secret Holds to Block Bills (by Marian Wang, ProPublica)
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