WATCH: Rand Paul Slams Deficit Spending, Dismisses Spending Bill As 'A Porkfest Of Epic Proportions'

During remarks on the Senate floor, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) railed against deficit spending and urged Congress to balance its budget.
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
account.forbes.com/membership...
Stay Connected
Forbes on Facebook: forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: / forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: / forbes
More From Forbes: forbes.com

[@outlaw565]

Listening to this is sickening, the stupidity of our government. If they cannot balance the budget then they all need to go. If these elected officials can not do there job they need to go immediately. Thank you Rand Paul!

[@user-mz6py1hg6f]

Congress needs a big cut in pay. They haven't updated social security in over 50 years, and they think nothing of it. If they all were at minimum wage, maybe something would get done.

[@connect2christ531]

Thank you Senator Rand Paul for speaking truth and exposing the foolishness of what’s going on in our nation. God bless you!

[@waxysyx]

Thank you Senator Paul - I admire your bravery and the fact that you tell the truth!

[@rowdyjohnson6026]

Yeah, his voter turnout didn't reflect that.

[@waxysyx]

Great point, especially considering the fact that our elections are 100% absolutely positively free and fair!

[@larryhardee1914]

The government pays less for the debt while you pay more at the cash register.

[@janetgies8698]

It’s not even money to them because it’s not coming out of their personal pocket- just numbers on a paper.

[@bigislandarrah8984]

Amen! Thank you to Senator Rand Paul!

[@avayu2289]

Thank you Senator Rand Paul.

[@michelbarbeau5085]

Even so he's saying the truth, who is listening since it's not presented by them for the TV reward. Joe Biden will make $1,60000.00 for doing NOTHING in (4 years). ERROR: he caused the destruction of America with all sort of illogical agenda impose on American people.

[@johnnieblackburn3182]

Where did this guy come frim?? He makes too much sense, telling the gross truth and corruption.

[@wd-40freedompress80]

he has been doing this for 20 years , every year he rolls it all out and gives them the what for ! this is but a small taste of R.Paul does for our country

[@rowdyjohnson6026]

He's been around a while. He ran for president. People chose to fight for the 2 least qualified.

[@CJMW_]

May God keep this man safe

[@dalewhite4759]

Rand is one of the damn few in DC that cares!

[@wat_cher]

Senator Rand Paul...Thank you

[@terri6904]

Thank You for helping us Senator Rand Paul. Using u.s. citizen's paychecks as an open credit card to pay for personal projects or entertainment projects must stop.

[@richardpickell8062]

The U.S. Goobermint, the biggest Ponzee scheme ever created

[@susandouglas5908]

Thank you for pointing out the outrageous pork barrell spending! It is insane! How dare they? This must end!😮

[@dukegotpowers]

All the pork barrel policies have to be strictly banned in order to preserve the impact and effectiveness of the desired bill….

[@michaelr.carter7324]

My social security is not an entitlement I paid for that every week out of my paycheck stop giving billions to foreign governments stop wasting it on special interests programs like welfare for people that won’t work that can work the list is long

[@thunkjunk]

That is the correct word usage. Getting back money you contributed is an entitlement.

[@catherinewilliams9680]

Social Security funds cannot be used for anything other than Social security.

[@snakeplissken7671]

@@catherinewilliams9680 That is false. There is no magical bank account within which social security-collected taxes sits and waits to be doled out specifically just for social security. All collected federal taxes go in to the coffers and then gets spent on whatever. Social security payouts are measured to a specific amount so that the government never loses money on it. They absolutely do spend "social security money" on things other than social security and have been accused of it numerous times before it became popular to just borrow ungodly amounts of money and cause mass inflation instead of "borrowing the money from other programs". Though this is how it was in the pre-Obama era. Since the Obama era though, it's become popular among demcorats to just have the government print money, effectively hitting everyone with a nasty shadow tax in the form of inflation. So currently, due to wild, reckless spending on marxist policies which do not help the country, the "effective federal tax rate' on the people (combining the huge inflation spikes with our normal tax rate), has practically tripled under Biden. But he can hide it from being overt by borrowing trillions of dollars and ruining the dollar value instead of just outright saying he's going to triple federal taxes because while both things result in the exact same amount of buying power lost (with one being even worse because it's practically irreversible), one of them would be so incredibly unpopular that his impeachment would be demanded by even democrats, and the other is met with a shrug despite being much worse (the borrowing/inflation route).

[@ksineasttexas]

Oh yes, they can spend the Social Security funds. It's called borrowing at 0% interest. And none of them pay into Social Security or Medicare. 😐

[@michelbarbeau5085]

The only thing that is expected from you citizen, tax payment. The rest go to the illegal migrant.

[@pjgraves03]

The congressmen/senators who have nothing else to do aside from ear marks need to take a leave of absence without pay.

[@rubadub1975]

The only honest politician we have, in all of north America,. Never stop being you, Rand, must be lonely, in that den of thieves, we respect your dedication.

[@hotchihuahua1546]

We are not the savior of the world ! We should be concerned with our internal affairs . They are way out of order !

[@docc1123]

who are those republicans voting for big spending.? their names should be made public.

[@simpleman3507]

Ask Google they will tell you who voted for what, especially the senators and congressmen you vote for.

[@bgorg1]

They are the ones the media praises for bi partisanship or being moderate.

[@philipfreeman72]

Dr. Rand Paul for D.J.T.'s vice President .

[@gb3239]

Thank you Senator Rand Paul. Great job.

[@Erin1Liu]

Everybody doesn't get more money!. The U.S. taxpayers ALWAYS GET FLEECED!!!

[@michaelr.carter7324]

If this government doesn’t change we need a new government

[@user-hi3gc7jw5j]

This is THE MOST comprehensive analysis of America's current state of affairs, I have heard lately. This is a masterclass in political, psychological, and economic issues that would cost you a lot of money at a university that is not currently offered anywhere. A wholesome, informed explanation Mr. Rand Paul, my respect! Take some time and listen to him, even if you have to stop and come back to it.

[@user-zi7yx9uc3t]

So true! Well said!👍

[@user-mz6py1hg6f]

The government has destroyed our nation, spending like drunkin sailors, they think nothing of it. In fact, they'll blame it on us.

[@justiceandhealing4all]

How much do you get paid to type all of this

[@deidres100]

The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale. Thomas Jefferson

[@user-kn8vn8ff2o]

Wish someone half as smart as rand Paul would run for president

[@aveccoeur3874]

Like his father?! What a different world we could have had.

[@richsfc1]

RFK is running. RFK all the way.

[@federalistpapers4523]

Over 6,000 ear marks, creates pork barrel hogs, that play stupid games, where America ALWAYS loses.

[@catherinewilliams9680]

Do you know what are also earmarks? Roads, bridges, sea and air ports.

[@SOP83]

@@catherinewilliams9680 Yeah, the politician's brother/cousin/donor needs a contract for their construction business.

[@cjokc55]

I think i saw Powell say he hadn't done any grocery shopping recently...yeah clearly he has no clue because he's a millionaire huh?

[@kathrinebeeder9892]

Thank you for trying. I keep good spending habits, but my country will be what bankrupts me.

[@user-zi7yx9uc3t]

I like this because it is so true: “Work is a benefit. If you can work you should work.” I hope those who can work, but don’t work, listen to this speech and decide to go to work instead of waiting to receive something w/o work. Thank you Rand Paul. You are a great man. 👍🇺🇸

[@hyper_nova09]

That was probably one of the most enlightening things I've ever seen in politics. 🤯

[@nickgoff7240]

We need to all come together if they start talking about raising the age for social security

[@yojimmy101]

too bad more of the people in that building don't think like this. I write mine but they don't listen

[@mynameisnobodysometimeseve7653]

Crazy they use bribery constantly. Thats right, secret handshakes and pats on the back.

[@anwornation3399]

Well said, Rand Paul

[@aaronb8698]

Much better speech and far more truthful. He leaves off the intrest rates though and how much has accrued.

[@sharonatl]

Thanks for educating me on this

[@kurtphilly]

This isn't educating us, this providing us a biased view of reality. Corporations and billionaires don't pay as much in taxes as the average worker. Tax cuts don't balance budgets either. The overwhelming majority of our budget is healthcare for the poor and elderly, defense, and interest. Discretionary sending is less than 27%.

[@user-fx4gg7qo1o]

Sen. Rand Paul If I Tell Lived In Kentucky I Would Vote For You You Are Some One That Has Common Since I Here A Lot Of Talk But I Don't Not See no Action Good Job Paul Thank You

[@SnowPl0x]

Great Sen. Rand Paul glad we got him 🎉

[@ursamajor1936]

Amen!

[@williamschaffer5593]

😊

[@allenkidd6491]

Look what he makes a year

[@SnowPl0x]

@@allenkidd6491 do I wanna 😂

[@ursamajor1936]

@@allenkidd6491 how much?

[@geridannels1701]

This is the State of the Union Address we should of heard! Thank you Senator Paul, someone with good sense, l won't say common, because thats rare in Washington, DC

[@patriciafields806]

If I were a Republican in Congress or senate I wouldn’t vote for any of this. As the tax payers pay for all this u think we, as tax payers should have a say in all this spending. Our government is so corrupt. All I hear is talk from the republicans but nothing gets done. I like Paul Rand; he tells the truth.

[@Roberta-my7qr]

Social security isn't as "entitlement" in a conventional sense. From the time a person starts working, Social Security tax is deducted from their paycheck, held by government, who offers no instrument with which to invest it, with compounding interest..THEN, we'd be able to live on it in retirement, instead of the 401k racket Wall Street employs, to use OUR money to trade/ invest in, without making us active partners in our financial future.

[@user-kn8vn8ff2o]

You know they like a good pork fest in DC

[@ursamajor1936]

Part of the problem with folks that don't want to work as an employee is that they get treated like slaves and this just started happening over the last 2 decades. It wears a person down. I've seen this in action and called a few out on it during my working years. The divide between haves and have nots is growing.

[@SherriColletti-rm1mc]

Social Security is NOT an entitlement! The government needs to pay social security it borrowed years ago!

[@Montana-Matt]

Been bankrupt for years.

[@leslieaharden6183]

Such a great speech but it appears that there is no one in congress to hear his words.

[@barbginther2171]

Dimon's an as. How about working on an efficient government. Less waste, fraud, spending ?

[@curtorr7415]

Your news is appreciated

[@brotherscoyote]

Joe Rogan, please have this man on your show so the country can see what's been going on, because NOBODY WILL NOTICE THAT THE SHIP IS SINKING UNTIL THEIR FEET GET WET!!!!!!

[@Montana-Matt]

Cut spending, More energy trade.

[@thunkjunk]

I'm willing to spend less and be a bit less comfortable so future generations don't suffer the entire thing.

[@lzeng78]

We need more of Sen Paul.

[@EvilWarrior-bp4hg]

He should be in the new government that we need

[@crystalswaggerstick890]

Wait a minute, we paid soc sec and medicare

[@kingofscrews]

All well explained by Senator Paul but we need working solutions. What are the solutions? 💪💸

[@ddonovan5053]

We could have a Convention of States to take the spending power away from the Federal government.

[@kingofscrews]

@@ddonovan5053 Good idea but it will never happen. I enjoy the benefits the federal government provides but only the good ones. It would be impossible for each state to financially manage the big items on its own. Limiting the feds' control to only managing the necessary services would be ideal. Then let the states handle the rest. 🤔

[@billeckert6454]

Excellent explanation of things most don't understand. One point I would like Forbes to hear: could you occasionally show the audience in attendance. I can't help but be concerned that Rand Paul's words are not even reaching the ears of other Congressional Representatives. But his words ARE reaching and teaching the ears of We The People, and for that I thank Forbes.

[@1Bohimyme]

Would love to see the dollar devalued and Rand Paul given the task to tackle the deficit, watch the BS spending thrown in the trash can so quick.

[@Bearfacts01]

The dollar will crash while inflation soars. That’s what we are looking at coming. It’s going to get very bad for some.

[@user-mz6py1hg6f]

Wow, and I've been living on rice for 3 years. A completely different department should be in charge of spending.

[@smevets804]

Why not cut bennies for ALL government officials across the board All 3 letter agency's Congress the lot, then tie any advancement in their bennies to the GDP and reduction of the debt.

[@africacarey]

I love how he just speaks the truth and the facts

[@lovinglife330]

He would make a great, lead speaker for the senate republicans.

[@user-kt6vo8zb3n]

We need to stop paying government for a year.an put it in the treasurery this would get us out of debt. It should not be the people paying for the government over spending on other countries

[@MimiDidi121]

The kids I had in my classroom that were Hispanic immigrants came to school no matter what! Their parents push the hard to get an education. Most of my Hispanic student worked in the chicken plant from 4-12 and come in the next morning with their homework completed. Very few of the white students had a job and they would come with their homework not even started. The only problem with that is they sent their kids to school when they were too sick to be in school. I had this student who had a terrible cold and he was very very soft-spoken, you had to get real close to him to hear him and I remember one time he was coughing and sniffling and I had my ear closed his mouth. All the sudden he disappeared from school and the state health department came down on our school like crazy we all had to be tested for TB because he was diagnosed with active TB. I had a positive reaction to the test to be on TB medication’s for six months!

[@billwood6987]

I think rand paul would be an excellent speaker! Wouldn't it be nice to have faces and names for these outrageous pork barrel spending. Make them famous and tell us!

[@OscarFSaleh]

Rand Paul is definitely presidential material. We need a leader with common sense and honesty.

[@JeffSmith-pl2pj]

Scary!

[@sandralee3990]

The bills should be read out loud to the people. It should be written so everyday people understands it. Each bill under the affect of your state should be talked about from that state's students too. Let them know how much that state contributes to fed taxes. Have a budget finance of the give and take. On fast bills, let them explain it to the people. All dept got to have book to look at. May be they need accounting help. Get them help. No body wants that stress. The businesses are under that. Gives a better reality check. The people afford the street to live because they dont print money, inflation problems. Sad sad sad. Town hall meeting should be a must for resolving the business of USA.

[@levdavidov3404]

ARTIST singing !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@gabrielasmyth9713]

I have been listening to the two houses Specifically to Senator Rand Paul, And it is quite an amazing teaching, I am so taken by his educating us in this matter, wao thank you Sen Paul, G-D bless 🙌 you, and may G-D open America and the legal immigrants to underestand such a privilege we have here, I love this Nation of the United States, I am a legal immigrants, married a Service man who served this Nation a patriot, and conservative Republican and is teaching me more about what I already know about the soul of this amaizing Nation.

[@allenkidd6491]

He has money he has no idea what it like to be poor, what it's like to go hunger only eating every other day

[@beatlejuice13]

Clearly the people themselves are not special interest at all.

[@jennobrien3590]

Exactly!

[@lily48848]

Hope many people get to understand all that senator are explaining clearly. It is easy to spent someones else money.

[@lisahansen4842]

There should have been laws that require if you do not have the money you may not spend it maybe having a certain amount for emergencies don't spend what you don't have

[@dentonfender6492]

Originally, the creators of our republic decided that funding for all wars has a two year expiration date, and any newly proposed war must be reviewed, and debated by Congress to receive funding. If these laws were still in place, the corruption of the national security state, and the military industrial complex would be out of business.

[@ericskinner4209]

With the internet etc. Why the hell don't TAX PAYERS have more say on it? No more earmarks at all.

[@user-eq7nr3bb1c]

This man does his homework, and shoots the TRUTH straight from the hip-POW!!!🎯💯👍☘️

[@xinefreiergeist9624]

It's interesting because it's come down to myself working 2 jobs, but considering the inflation, bills are so high that I still can not afford food or Healthcare, therefore I do still qualify for some benefits. So you can't say that people on welfare don't work. Inflation has changed that perspective. I also believe that benefits won't even be available for me (a working class citizen) in the future considering all the debt and border crisis.

[@MrJoco69]

Doesn't Washington have a spending limit 😮

[@wandafisher7661]

The the truth and shame the devil!!!

[@kdel9776]

Get-together ang refuse to sign on this junk bills.

[@markwriter2698]

So how do these massive bills get passed?

[@frostedsleet3124]

Paul Rand for Leader

[@MrJoco69]

Their must be spending limits established in each and every department.

[@marystewart946]

I have said that they all work together to help themselves, and care about the people.😮

[@Oldmanpeace]

Ah Pork Barrel spending, a term I learned from the True Geordie.

[@gwenhavlichek5025]

You make so much sense and explain things so clearly.

[@cherylbullen6966]

Yep! ❤️🙌☀️

[@suzannefitzgerald-rowe8309]

Why can there not be a class action lawsuit on behalf of the American acitizens? We need a Convention of States now!

[@supercharged22re]

Great speech, following in the footsteps of his father's exit speech, when he retired. ALL true!

[@darleneferguson1153]

Get those Big Spending Republicans out!

[@ikustoo]

RAND PAUL SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER NOW!!!!!!!!!!

[@richardlangseth2364]

Once Again... ALL #OathBreakersGetTreason ❗❗❗

[@MrJoco69]

Spending bills should be presented in separate bills and not all in one.

[@anniesimones5334]

Great job

[@sunitabenipersaud1492]

Thanks sweetie. 🧚‍♀️💫✨️🙏❤️

[@user-in2pd2cm2p]

We NEED more representatives like Rand Paul. If they all thought like him we would not be in this mess

[@stacyMighty]

You tell them Mr. Paul!

[@Bearfacts01]

Tell them Rand we will do half that budget.

[@GlassDragon0069]

How about 5 percent across all the bord

[@Prometheus1979]

Let’s raise social security so the future generations won’t hardly see it but you going to pay for it. No, we need less government spending and wasting of tax payers dollar.