Civil Rights and Justice

Paul Voted To Ban "Partial Birth Abortion" Even If Woman's Health Is At Risk. In 2003, Ron Paul voted to ban a procedure they called "partial birth abortion." The ban would be one of the most significant restrictions on abortion since the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision recognizing abortion rights. It includes an exception to preserve the life of the woman, but no provisions allowing the procedure when medically necessary to preserve a woman's health. Physicians who knowingly perform the procedure would be subject to up to two years in prison. [1]

Ethics

Paul Voted to Kill Comprehensive Ethics Reform. In 2006, Paul voted to block a comprehensive lobbying reform bill that would ban travel on corporate jets, prohibit lobbyist gifts, slow the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street, shut down the "K Street" project in which jobs in lobbying firms were traded for legislative favors; shine the light on earmarks so that special interest provisions cannot be slipped into bills without public scrutiny, and put an end to some of the procedural abuses that have flourished in the Republican-controlled House. The Democratic proposal would cover all special interest earmarks, including the Alaska Bridge to Nowhere, and disclose whether Members have a financial interest in the earmark. [2]

Environment

Paul Voted Against Increasing Fuel Efficiency for SUVs. In 2001, Paul voted against applying stricter fuel economy standards to sport utility vehicles, matching the ones that apply to cars, of 27.5 miles per gallon in 2007. Increasing CAFE standards would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, cut global warming emissions and save consumers thousands of dollars annually at the gas pump. [3]

Iraq

Ron Paul Is Opposed to Iraq War. Ron Paul is “a fierce critic of the Iraq war” and believes the supplemental spending bill will be “a huge amount of money to continue a bad policy.” [4]

Social Security

Paul Helped Defeat Proposal To Balance Budget & Protect Social Security. In 2005, Paul voted against a budget plan that would protect Social Security from being raided to pay for additional spending or tax cuts. [5]

Taxes/Deficit

Paul Voted Against "Pay As You Go" Rules. In 2004, Paul cast a vote against stricter fiscal discipline when passing tax cuts. The proposal he opposed would have required any tax cuts or spending increases to be paid for by spending cuts or revenue increases. [6]

Veterans

Paul Voted To Cut Veterans Benefits By $45 Billion. In 2004, Paul voted for a budget plan that would have led to a $45 billion cut in veterans’ benefits. He was one of only 88 (of 435) to vote for it. [7]

Footnotes

  1. (Associated Press, 6/4/03; CQ Today, 6/4/03) [HR 760 , Vote #242, 6/4/2003; Passed 282-139; R 220-5; D 62-133; I 0-1]

  2. [Leadership Document, "Democrats Fight To Clean Up Culture Of Corruption; Republicans Fail To Change Washington," 9/14/06; HRS 1000 , Vote #448, 9/14/2006; Passed 218-194; R 218-1; D 0-192; I 0-1]

  3. [CBS MarketWatch, 8/1/01; Union of Concerned Scientists, "Fuel Economy: Going Further on A Gallon of Gas," www.ucsusa.org; HR 4 , Vote #311, 8/1/2001; Failed 160-269; R 36-182; D 123-86; I 1-1]

  4. [Politico.com, 4/18/07]

  5. [House Budget Committee Democratic Caucus, Fact Sheets for House Consideration of the 2006 Budget, 3/16/05; HRS 95 , Vote #87, 3/17/2005; Failed 165-264; R 0-228; D 164-36; I 1-0]

  6. (Washington Post, 11/19/04; CQ Today, 11/18/04) [S 2986 , Vote #535, 11/18/2004; Failed 194-218; R 0-218; D 193-0; I 1-0]

  7. [Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, 6/24/04; HR 4663 , Vote #315, 6/24/2004; Failed 88-326; R 88-130; D 0-195; I 0-1]