Their stated policy positions and commitments, with quotes and links to the original sources.
Paul said life begins at conception and should be protected in the womb. He also said he did not think the law legalizing abortion could be overturned at that time because the country was divided on the issue.
Context: The passage does not specify a proposed law or other mechanism for protecting life beginning at conception.
Paul argued that government should not recognize or regulate marriage, questioning whether government recognition benefits either party. He personally viewed marriage as between one man and one woman.
Context: The passage does not describe a specific legislative proposal for changing government marriage recognition.
Paul supported arming Kurdish allies against the Islamic State and opposed the Obama administration's decision to arm Syrian rebels. He said the president should obtain congressional authorization for military action, through a war-powers authorization or declaration of war. He would allow U.S. troops on the ground to protect Americans or target high-value individuals.
Context: The passage limits the stated grounds for U.S. ground troops to protecting Americans or targeting high-value individuals.
Paul supported sanctions and diplomacy in dealing with Iran and argued against U.S. military involvement. He cosponsored a bill giving Congress 60 days to review an Iran deal, and opposed accepting or containing a nuclear-armed Iran.
Context: At the time, a spokesman said Paul was reviewing the current framework agreement.
Paul generally opposed using U.S. funds for foreign aid and said the ideal outcome would be for the United States and recipient countries to phase out aid. His earlier budget proposal would have eliminated all foreign aid, including aid to Israel, though he later supported proposals that included billions in aid for Israel.
Context: His position on aid to Israel shifted over time; the passage does not specify a timetable for phasing out aid.
Paul proposed dissolving the Department of Education and distributing its funding to state and local programs.
Context: Original statement date not established. Source collected on November 12, 2026.
Paul proposed removing many tax deductions and replacing the existing income-tax structure with a lower flat tax applying to all income levels. An aide said the proposed rate would be no higher than 17 percent.
Context: The passage says Paul had not specified which deductions would be removed; the rate limit is attributed to an aide.
Paul supported restoring voting rights to some people convicted of nonviolent felonies and reclassifying some drug offenses as misdemeanors. He also supported equalizing penalties for crack and powder cocaine offenses and giving judges more room to impose sentences below mandatory minimums.
Context: The passage does not specify which convictions would qualify for voting-rights restoration or reclassification.
Paul said he could support immigration reform if it included verifiable border security and increased legal immigration. He particularly supported providing more visas for agricultural workers.
Context: The passage does not give details on how border security would be verified or specify the number of additional visas.
Paul opposed giving the government warrantless or unilateral power to collect private citizens’ data. He supported ending large-scale collection of cellphone records and also opposed indefinite detention of American citizens.
Context: The passage does not specify the scope of any replacement surveillance rules.