MANCHESTER, N.H.—Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., celebrated what he characterized as a small victory against the government’s bulk collection of metadata at the grand opening of his Manchester campaign office.
“It wasn’t a complete victory, but we did send a message to the president. The court told him it was illegal, and last week Congress told him, ‘No more, you cannot collect our information,” Paul told supporters from a chair so he could be seen and heard in the crowded office.
On Tuesday, the Senate voted in favor of the USA Freedom Act, changing how the federal government can access your personal data, including phone records.
Supporters of the Freedom Act argued the legislation was needed to amend the USA Patriot Act to protect privacy, while still enabling the government to collect information with warrants.
“Some in Washington say you have to trade your liberty for security,” Paul said. “So we had a big, grand debate.”
Paul, an opponent of the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of phone records, temporarily blocked the measure from being voted on, forcing the Senate to return early from its Memorial Day recess.
Paul criticized those who “wanted to be on vacation” rather than debate the Freedom Act.
He said that the choice between liberty and security is a false one.
“Even the government says they’re not getting any useful information, they haven’t caught any terrorist through the program,” Paul said.
The Kentucky Republican described himself as running “against the Washington machine.”
Paul also reiterated his belief in term limits and not sending foreign aid to “countries that hate us.”
