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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:May 20, 2022Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

WASHINGTON, D.C. Recently, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, recognized CoreTrans of Somerset, Kentucky, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.Dr. Paul entered the following into the Congressional Record:As you all know, the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic has burdened the global economy with tangled supply chains, drastically prolonged shipping schedules, and an insatiable level of consumer demand. Given this current climate it gives me great pleasure to honor a Kentucky small business operating on the front lines of the supply chain crisis. Founded in 2002, CoreTrans was started by Brian Whitaker, a third generation Whitaker in the transportation business. Brian and the whole team at CoreTrans have played a vital role in the recovery from the pandemic and subsequent government lockdowns and they continue to support local commerce within the community.Brian Whitaker is the youngest of three generations of truckers. Perhaps it is that collective expertise between him and his family that has allowed Brian to lead CoreTrans through years of tremendous growth. Getting his start in the early years of the new millennium, CoreTrans started out with twenty five trucks. Now, CoreTrans includes a fleet of over 150 trucks, 300-53 dry van trailers, and a driver fleet of 200 drivers. Their trucks and trailers are equipped with state of the art aerodynamics and satellite based mobile communication systems, which allows their team to track and monitor all vehicles on a 24-hour basis. Though the business is outfitted with impressive technology, the CoreTrans staff and their years of experience are the most vital part of the operation.The leadership and staff at CoreTrans understand that in this fast-paced world of online deliveries and instant gratification, time is money. Therefore, they operate with the knowledge that there is no room for error or broken promises. The mission of CoreTrans is to provide safe, on-time delivery of customer freight at a competitive rate with the most efficient and responsive customer service in the industry. Their name tells the whole story CoreTrans, a name that highlights their commitment to efficiency just like their slogan: At the CORE of Your Supply Chain! Just take a look at CoreTrans track record and you will see that their slogan is more than just words on a sign. The team has won a slew of awards throughout the past decade, including: the 2012 National Safety Award, 2012 Carrier of the Year for Wausau Paper (a large customer of theirs), 2013 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, 2015 Great West Award, as well as several awards from Pulaski Countys March of Dimes.Though CoreTrans maintains a reputation for its dependability and strong customer service, Brian Whitaker understands that giving back to the community is just as important as running an efficient fleet. Even before the pandemic struck there was a shortage of crucial transportation workers. In 2019, Bloomberg estimated that the U.S. lacked roughly 300,000 truck drivers needed to fill the predicted level of consumer demand. Understanding this shortage, Brian decided to take action and made a donation to Somerset Community College (SCC) to kick-start their new truck driver-training program. That year SCC received a 2007 Volvo sleeper truck courtesy of CoreTrans, which allowed the students to train in a real work setting while enrolled in the Colleges commercial drivers license or truck driver training program. Their donation not only helps the students of SCC, it bolsters the local and regional economy by creating a pipeline of truck drivers to fulfill Kentuckys needs.In 2021, Brian demonstrated that his charitable spirit expands beyond the students at SCC, as Western Kentucky dealt with the aftermath of devastating December tornados. Seeing how so many of their Western neighbors lost everything right before the Christmas season, CoreTrans teamed up with Ricky Thomas, owner of Wildcat Used Cars, to collect supplies for the donation to Mayfield residents. Mr. Thomas knew the desire to help out the tornado-torn areas was strong within his community, but the logistics of hundreds of people driving several hours individually to donate goods was not practical. Instead, Mr. Thomas utilized his car lot as a drop-off site and CoreTrans donated one of their tractor trailers for the job of transporting the supplies to Mayfield. Together, these two small businesses answered Kentuckians call during their time of need and in true CoreTrans spirit, they did it in the most efficient way possible. When Brian Whitaker opened up shop in 2002, he intended to create more than just a trucking company. His purpose was to start a business on which Kentucky could depend, on the road and in the warehouse. In executing this mission, CoreTrans became a business that supports local and regional commerce, fosters job creation, strengthens the supply chain, and carries out a vital part of our nations economy by providing everyday citizens with the goods they need. Congratulations to Brian Whitaker and the entire team at CoreTrans. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Kentucky.As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Paul continues the tradition of honoring Americas small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to Americas small businesses.

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Dr. Rand Paul Honors CoreTrans of Somerset, Kentucky, as the Senate Small Business of the Week - Senator Rand Paul

Former USS Cole Commander Kirk Lippold argues Sen. Rand Paul cant play financial games since lives are at stake amid Russias invasion of Ukraine.

EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is pushing back on a $48 billion business bailout bill, which he calls a "poorly-targeted spending spree," amid rising concerns about historic inflation.

On Tuesday evening, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., scheduled a procedural vote this week on a $48 billion bill that would aid businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter reviewed by FOX Business to one of President Biden's senior advisers, Gene Sperling, Paul explained his reasoning behind his opposition to the proposed bill, saying it is an "inappropriate moment to spend taxpayer dollars on restaurants and entertainment."

HAWLEY SAYS 'ASTRONOMICAL' $40B UKRAINE AID BILL IS EVIDENCE OF BIDEN'S 'MISPLACED PRIORITIES' AND HURTS US

Paul takes issue with the proposal, which contains "taxpayer-funded grants to restaurants, minor league sports teams, gyms, yachts and limousines businesses and more," because it is being introduced when COVID-19 is "no longer straining our economy," he writes.

Sen. Rand Paul (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Fox News)

The senator argues that additional government spending will only help already-recovering industries at a severe expense to others. Inflation is continuing to hover near a 40-year high and Americans are feeling the pain at the gas pump and at the grocery store as consumer prices continue to rise.

"Congress cannot pass a $48 billion COVID poorly-targeted spending spree if we are truly concerned about inflation," the letter continues.

Sperling has a deadline of Thursday to get back to the senator from Kentucky addressing his concerns.

Paul told FOX Business in an exclusive statement: "COVID-19 is over, and yet Congress is ready to spend $48 billion of borrowed money to bail out yacht and limousines businesses, minor league sports, and luxury gyms under the guise of pandemic relief."

Sen. Rand Paul speaks with reporters after a vote at the Capitol on Dec. 13, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images / Getty Images)

"Now is perhaps the most inappropriate time to spend more taxpayer dollars on a poorly targeted spending spree while Americans struggle with the effects of price increases and supply chain issues caused by Congress last $6 trillion COVID spending extravaganza," the senator continued.

The House of Representatives already passed a $55 billion aid package for businesses and restaurants last month, and the Senate is expected to vote on a procedural motion soon.

The legislation would require 60 votes to pass, which looks unlikely due to Republican opposition and skepticism from Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who would need to get on board in order to pass the measure.

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The Senate's bill comes the same week as it is set to pass a $40 billion Ukraine aid bill, despite opposition from Paul and a handful of Republican senators.

Sen. Josh Hawley speaks with reporters as he leaves the Senate floor in the Capitol on Dec. 7, 2021. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images / Getty Images)

"The amounts we're talking about are astronomical. I think $40 billion would be about three times as much as Europe has contributed combined, all of the European states, for a war that's happening on their continent," Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital Tuesday, saying he's worried it will continue allowing Europe to "freeload."

Last week, Paul blocked a measure that would have fast-tracked the legislation to the Senate floor, saying the bill's direction is muddled and would require additional oversight.

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Rand Paul says timing for $48B COVID business bailout is 'inappropriate' due to historic inflation - Fox Business

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., argued Thursday that whoever leaked the Supreme Court draft opinion on overturning Roe v. Wade should be prosecuted and barred from practicing law as justices face protests at their homes.

"I've seen political violence up close," Paul told "Fox & Friends." And this is why it's not just a breach of decorum that they leaked this road decision early. This is really about somebody instigating and trying to foment violence. And I'm very concerned about our Supreme Court justices."

Paul sustained multiple ribs broken and other injuries after he was assaulted by a neighbor at his Kentucky home in 2017.

The senator said even though he is a "stalwart" defender of the First Amendment, disorderly conduct is not protected by it.

VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT SAYS PROTESTS OUTSIDE OF JUSTICES' HOMES 'WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT'

Pro-abortion protesters outside home of Justice Amy Coney Barrett (Fox News Digital)

"You have no right to chant and keep people awake all night in a neighborhood you're invading their privacy, you're invading their private property. Even if you stand on the sidewalk, you do not have a right to keep people awake all night and you should be arrested for disorderly conduct," he said.

Pro-choice protesters led marches outside the homes of Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice Roberts following the leak of the Supreme Court draft opinion signaling the court was getting ready to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Paul condemned the leak as a "huge error" and "serious offense."

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"Whoever did this and whatever clerk did this or whatever person at the prime court did this, not only should they be fired, I think they should be prosecuted and they should be barred from practicing law," he said.

Fox News staff contributed to this report.

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Rand Paul on threats facing Supreme Court justices: 'I'm very concerned' - Fox News

Advocates for independently-owned businesseswarned that restaurants, gyms, and other Main Street businesses across the U.S. will be forced to close in the coming months after Republicans in the Senate on Thursday blocked a $48 billion package to provide relief to owners who have struggled to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

The bipartisan Small Business Covid Relief Act (S. 4008), which was meant to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) passed last year, was cosponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., but stillfailed to getmore than five Republican senators to support it.

The vast majority of GOP lawmakers claimed that helping locally-owned restaurants and bars to stay open and continue employing people in their communities would worsen inflation and contribute to the deficit, with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.,sayingon the Senate floor that "dumping more money in the economy is simply pouring $5-a-gallon gas on an already out-of-control fire."

As a result, said Erika Polmar of the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC), "we estimate more than half of the 177,300 restaurants waiting for an RRF grant will close in the next few months."

The bill would have given $40 billion to independent restaurants left out of the restaurant relief program which passed last year butran out of fundsin just three weeks, with only one in three applicants receiving grants.

"Local restaurants across the country expected help but the Senate couldn't finish the job," said Polmar. "Neighborhood restaurants nationwide have held out hope for this program, selling their homes, cashing out retirement funds, or taking personal loans in an effort to keep their employees working."

The RRF bill would also have given $2 billion for gyms and fitness centers, $2 billion for live event companies, $2 billion for bus and ferry operators, $1.4 billion for companies near border crossings which have shut down during the pandemic, and $500 million for minor league sports teams.

The Community Gyms CoalitiontoldThe Hillthat although an RRF replenishment bill passed in the House, the Senate "failed to invest in fitness and exercise despite their obvious benefits for Americans' mental and physical health."

"After hanging on for another year, hurting restaurants and bars throughout America, especially in rural communities, may not see any relief despite the House passing a bill just last month to put more money into the RRF,"saidDidier Trinh, policy and political impact director for Main Street Alliance (MSA). "The fate of these small businessesincluding ones owned by women and people of color that were left behindwill be tied to those senators who voted down this lifeline today."

Along with Wicker, Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Bill Cassidy, R-La., were the only Republicans who joined Democrats in voting for the bill. The Democrats needed at least 10 Republicans to support the legislation to reach 60 votes required by the legislative filibuster.

"Senators who ensured this fate instead of providing the relief small business needs now must be held accountable,"tweetedMSA.

Tyler Akin, a board member of the IRC and a chef in Wilmington, Delaware, noted that the GOP's rejection of the bill immediately followed a vote approving$40 billionof military and humanitarian aid for Ukrainemore than $7 billion than President Joe Biden had requested.

"Ironically, this filibuster followed a vote to stand in solidarity at a similar level of funding with a group of European allies that handled some of the worst effects of the past two years with far more grace and unity," AkintoldThe Philadelphia Inquirer. "It's clear that those who aligned with Senator [Pat] Toomey today have little or no desire to support small businesses."

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GOP vote against bipartisan relief bill threatens to kill tens of thousands of small businesses - Salon

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) said his Kentucky colleague Sen. Rand Paul (R), who vocally opposed the $40 billion Ukraine aid package, represented a tiny percentage of Senate Republicans.

My colleague, Senator Paul, has always been basically an isolationist. Hes proud of it and believes thats where America ought to be. That is a tiny percentage of the Senate Republican Conference, McConnell told Fox News Bret Baier on Thursday.

Theres always been a strand of isolationism in our party, but its not anywhere near the dominant view, which was expressed in the vote that we had today and will be expressed again when we vote on the admission of Finland and Sweden into NATO, he added.

Paul was among 11 GOP senators who voted against the $40 billion aid package for Ukraine earlier Thursday. The Kentucky Republican last week kept the chamber from quickly advancing the legislation after it passed the House earlier this month.

We only had 11 votes against the package. I predict we will have even fewer votes opposed to the admission of Finland and Sweden into NATO, McConnell said on Fox, predicting more than two-thirds of the Senate would vote to back Finland and Swedens NATO bids.

The Ukraine aid package that passed the upper chamber Thursday includes $9 billion to refill stockpiles for weapons sent to Ukraine and close to $9 billion for the Ukrainian government to continue its operations and combat human trafficking, among other provisions.

If Congress really believed giving Ukraine $40B was in our national interest, they could easily pay for it by taxing every income taxpayer $500. My guess is they choose to borrow the $ bc Americans might just decide they need the $500 more to pay for gas, Paul tweeted Thursday morning.

Ten GOP senators joined Paul in voting against the aid package: Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), John Boozman (Ark.), Mike Braun (Ind.), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Bill Hagerty (Tenn.), Josh Hawley (Mo.), Mike Lee (Utah), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Roger Marshall (Kan.) and Tommy Tuberville (Ala.).

The passage of the aid package was lauded by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

I praise the [U.S.] Senates approval of the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. $ 40 billion is a significant [U.S.] contribution to the restoration of peace and security in Ukraine, Europe and the world. We look forward to the signing of the law by @POTUS, he wrote on Twitter.

President Biden is expected to sign the legislation soon.

Excerpt from:
McConnell on isolationist Rand Paul opposing Ukraine aid: A tiny percentage of Senate GOP - The Hill