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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:February 18, 2022Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

WASHINGTON, D.C. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, sent a letter to Isabella Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), requesting information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which provided grants to some eligible restaurants, bars, and other businesses impacted by COVID-19.As you know, the RRF obligated nearly $28.6 billion to more than 100,000 eligible entities. As reported by the SBA, more than 278,000 eligible applicants requested grants accounting for more than $72.2 billion. Despite the program window closing seven months ago, this Committee does not have sufficient information regarding the current applicant queue and their funds requested to aid business losses, Dr. Paul stated in the letter.Dr. Paul is requesting the following data no later than February 23, 2022.

In addition, Dr. Pauls office previously requested the following information on the RRF on May 18, 2021.

You can read the full letter HERE.

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Dr. Rand Paul Sends Letter to SBA Requesting Information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund | Senator Rand Paul - Senator Rand Paul

Putin announces military operation in Ukraine

In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his country's military offensive in Ukraine early Thursday.

AP

The Bluegrass State is more than 5,000 miles from Ukraine, but Russia's overnight invasion of the European country still sent shockwaves through the commonwealth.

Several members of Kentucky's congressional delegation and other local political figures weighed in Thursday morning in the hours after the attack was launched on Ukraine, which has a population of about 44 million and had traditionally been seen as a buffer between Russia and NATO-aligned European nations to its west.

Gov. Andy Beshear, in a video address posted Thursday morning to social media, warned that while Kentuckians would not be called upon to fight in the conflict, its impact would be felt in other ways back home higher gas prices are likely, for instance, he said.

From USA TODAY: Russia declares war, launches attack in Ukraine

"This is a small price to pay to stop this act of aggression, though I understand we will all feel it," Beshear said."What I'd ask is that this be a time of unity. This should be a reminder that we have real enemies overseas that want to harm us and others, and that we are not each other's enemies. It's time for America to be united, every single one of us, against this external threat."

Reactions weren't limited to Kentucky's governor.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, who serves as the U.S. Senate Minority Leader, said during a Thursday press conference in Kentucky that the withdrawal from Afghanistan last year sent a signal that "America is in retreat" and was "an invitation" to autocrats like Russian President Vladimir Putin to take action against foreign nations they consider to be enemies.

Serious action, McConnell added, should be taken against Russia.

"We're all together at this point and we need to be together about what should be done," McConnell said. "But I have some advice ratchet the sanctions all the way up. Don't hold any back. Every single available tough sanction should be employed and should be employed now."

Louisville business news: From bourbon to a Hy-Vee site, here's what's new in town

Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican who has repeatedly called for the U.S. to stay out of foreign conflicts that don't directly impact the nation, said the invasion "will further isolate Russia and lead to a pariah status not seen since the Cold War ended."

Congressional representatives from around the commonwealth also weighed in.

Rep. Andy Barr, who represents parts of Central and Eastern Kentucky and is a member ofthe House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the invasion "represents a naked attempt to re-litigate the terms of the endof the Cold War" and placed blame on President Joe Biden's "weak and feckless foreign policy" in a statement.

He called on the administration to impose additional sanctions against Russia and to provide additional Foreign Military Financing and arms sales to Ukraine.

Rep. John Yarmuth, who represents Louisville, wrote that he is praying for peace and for the people of Ukraine, describing the invasion as "an undeniable and unprovoked act of war against an independent, sovereign nation."

"The entire world must stand together in opposition to such evil," he wrote.

Rep. Thomas Massie, who represents Northern Kentucky, on Wednesday signed a bipartisan letter "to remind the President that Congress alone has the authority to declare war" but had not publicly commented further as of Thursday afternoon.

Rep. Hal Rogers, who represents Eastern Kentucky as well as southern portions of the commonwealth, tweeted Thursday afternoon that "Putins brazen strikes on Ukraine are an international breach of peace and an evil attempt to extend his reach of power."

"I firmly condemn this deadly attack and I pray for Gods protection over the people of Ukraine, as well as added strength in their defense," Rogers tweeted. "The United States must be bold in holding Russia accountable and thwart Putins unjustified aggression against a sovereign nation."

Rep. Brett Guthrie, who represents portions of Central and Western Kentucky, called the invasion "unlawful & indefensible" in a Twitter post and called on Biden to take action "by restoring American energy independence and protecting Americans from surging energy prices."

And Rep. James Comer, who represents much of Western Kentucky, condemned Putin and the invasion in a statement Thursday as well, saying he supported sanctions against Russia.

"In the battle between freedom and tyranny, freedom must always win," Comer wrote."Our prayers are with the people of Ukraine, our servicemen and women overseas, and all Americans left in Ukraine.

This story has beenupdated.

Lucas Aulbach can be reached at laulbach@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4649 or on Twitter @LucasAulbach.

Continued here:
Kentucky politicians react to 'undeniable and unprovoked act of war' in Ukraine - Courier Journal

Jordan Morgan (right with her father C. Wesley Morgan in a photo from Facebook) was shot dead on Tuesday during a home invasion.

The daughter of a Republican former state representative from Kentucky was shot and killed during an early morning home invasion earlier this week, authorities say.

Jordan Morgan, 32, was killed when an intruder broke into her familys $6.5 million home in Richmond at around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Kentucky State Police. Her father, Clinton Wesley Morgan, confirmed that his daughter had been murdered in an interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Mr. Morgan also revealed that he had been wounded while exchanging gunfire with the intruder, saying he and his wife had been shot at. He made a full recovery and was released from the hospital that same day while his wife managed to avoid suffering any injuries.

On Thursday, authorities provided an update identifying the suspect as 23-year-old Shannon V. Gilday of Taylor Mill, Kentucky.

Gilday forced his way into the home at approximately 4:00 am, armed with a rifle and fatally shot 32-year-old Jordan Morgan while she was in bed.

After the initial shooting, Gilday confronted the homeowner, when gunshots were exchanged between the two. As a result, the homeowner sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and the armed suspect left the scene in a white passenger car, authorities said, noting that the 2016 Toyota Corolla has a license plate of 379-VMJ.

Gilday, considered armed and dangerous, is wanted as of Thursday afternoon on charges of murder, burglary, criminal mischief, assault, and attempted murder.

Kentucky State Police have otherwise said little about the incident and encouraged any individuals with information about the crime or who may have witnessed any individuals in the neighborhood around the time of the shooting contact investigators.

Some of the few details that have been made available were shared by Kentucky State Police in a news release on Tuesday evening:

The initial investigation indicates an armed suspect entered the home just before 4:30 am, at which time shots were fired, killing a female inside. Gunshots were then exchanged between the homeowner and the intruder. As a result, the homeowner sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital, where he was treated and released. The armed suspect left the residence after the shooting, and no arrests have been made at this time.

The release also thanked the Richmond Police Department, Madison County Sheriffs Office, and the Madison County Coroner for their assistance in the investigation.

Sgt. Robert Purdy later provided a brief update from the scene of the shooting on Wednesday, where investigators are still hard at work.

The residence that we are searching, the residence where were looking for evidence is substantially large and we dont want to miss anything, Sgt. Purdy told reporters, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Weve brought in a lot of resources the agency has. Weve brought in our best detectives, frankly, to comb the house, to look for evidence and take as much as we can from here so we know we can paint a picture of exactly what happened later on.

Ms. Morgan served as a summer intern to Sen. Rand Paul and later worked on the campaign of Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin according to her LinkedIn profile. She briefly served as Deputy Finance Director and Deputy Press Secretary for Gov. Bevin before taking a position as the Assistant Commonwealths Attorney for Kentuckys 54th District.

Ms. Morgan had started a job with a new law form just one week before the fatal shooting (Facebook post above)

At the time of her death, Ms. Morgan had just started a new position at the law firm Reminger Co.

I am thrilled to share that I have joined Remingers Lexington office as an Associate Attorney, wrote Ms. Morgan on Facebook a week before the fatal shooting.I look forward to this new chapter in my legal career and am so grateful for this opportunity! God is so good, yall!

Her involvement in politics started long before her father took office. Mr. Morgan served a single term in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2017 through 2018, and then unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Mitch McConnell for the Republican nomination in the 2020 election.

He said in a Facebook post at the time: I am running because I want to help President Trump drain the swamp, and to do that, we must tackle the head swamp creature himself: Mitch McConnell.

Mr. Morgan had listed his 14,300 square-foot home, which has nine bedrooms and nine and-a-half bathrooms, for $6.5 million. The property, which sits on 200 acres of land, had been on the market since August.

[Image via Fox 56 screengrab]

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Jordan Morgan, 32, Killed in Home Invasion at Home - Law & Crime

Sen. Rand Paul said he'd want the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for President Joe Biden's forthcoming nominee to be well-mannered, unlike the divisive battles that took place for former President Donald Trump's nominees.

"I think the main thing that a lot of us would like to see is to show that we can be respectful and adults," the Kentucky Republican told McClatchy in aninterview published Thursday.

Particularly, Paul would like to avoid another set of contentious hearings that stoke partisan divisions, as was the case in 2018 during Judge Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination. Sexual assault allegations, which Kavanaugh denied, were at the center of his hearings and garnered nationwide attention.

"The Democrats who did that should be ashamed of themselves and unable to look in the mirror, but I promise you, I will never attack a Democrat nominee for the Supreme Court or for anything else in that kind of terms," Paul told McClatchy.

The GOP senator said his priority will be to understand the judicial philosophy of the president's nominee.

"We may disagree on politics and there's a good chance he's going to pick somebody that has a much different understanding of the Constitution than me and I'll voice my differences on that," Paul told McClatchy.

Other Republicans have also signaled a willingness to keep the temperature down for the upcoming confirmation process. CNN reported last week that Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota spoke with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell about preventing a bitter confirmation fight, and the top Republican agreed.

Biden's nominee will replace the retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, a liberal. Whoever Biden places on the court will not alter the court's 6-3 conservative majority, but maintain its current ideological balance. Trump's three Supreme Court appointments, on the other hand, expanded the court's conservative bloc.

Biden has said he will announce his nominee by the end of the month and plans to fulfill his campaign pledge to name the first Black woman to the nation's highest court.

Senate Democrats plan to move quickly to confirm his nominee, which can be done on their own through a simple-majority vote. It's unclear whether any Republicans, such as Paul, will support Biden's nominee and make the vote bipartisan.

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Rand Paul: 'We can be respectful and adults' for Biden's SCOTUS pick - Business Insider

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:February 11, 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 Cruise Customs of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Dr. Paul entered the following into the Congressional Record:

Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize the small business, Cruise Customs of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

It is not every week that I have the privilege of honoring a veteran-owned small business, but when I do, it is with profound respect and gratitude not only for this Kentucky entrepreneur, but for our men and women in uniform. Cruise Customs was started by Chris Cruise, a veteran paratrooper who served in the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After serving his country, like many veterans Chris Cruise returned to the U.S. carrying with him the traumas of war. Woodworking became a sort of therapy for him, and he combined that passion for working with his hands with his deeply-rooted patriotism, and founded Cruise Customs in 2017.

Cruise Customs not only honors the great nation that we live in, it also pays tribute to the wonderful state of Kentucky. The idea behind his business came from Chris and his wife Ambers desire to create something that honored both the nation that he fought for, and his wifes native state. The final product was a large American flag constructed from the wood used in old Kentucky bourbon barrels. While bourbon-barrel flags continue to be their most popular item, the business has expanded their scope of products offered. The Cruises patriotic mission has remained at the heart of their business throughout its steady growth, as they broadened their service to the veteran community and to their local area when Cruise Customs unique craftsmanship gained national recognition.

The whole Cruise Customs team use their dedication for service as inspiration for designing new products. These days, one can buy Chris signature bourbon-barrel flag not only in a variety of sizes, one can also find various flags with a different colored stripe running through the center of the flag. The colors symbolize the business support for various causes: blue, in honor of our nations police officers, red, to show their support for our nations fire fighters, pink, to spread breast cancer awareness and to champion its survivors. While these limited edition pieces stand out against their array of merchandise, the America One Heartbeat flag is perhaps their most impactful creation.

Their America One Heartbeat flag, a limited edition piece displaying the EKG sign of a heartbeat down the center stripe, was designed by Chris and Amber Cruise during the early days of the pandemic. Always wanting to give back to their community, Cruise Customs donated all proceeds from the sale of their America One Heartbeat flags to the medical frontline heroes at Norton Healthcare and U of L Health in Louisville. This noble idea quickly gained national attention, which allowed Cruise Customs to sell over 4,500 of these flags and donate over $70,000 to their local medical community.

Cruise Customs dedication to their community has not gone unnoticed. Last year Chris Cruise was named one of Louisville Business Firsts Business Impact Award Nominees. Chris and Amber Cruise have also broadened their venture by opening and co-directing Kentuckys first local chapter of USA Cares, a nonprofit dedicated to providing military families with financial and advocacy support during their time of need. From serving his country, to founding a small business dedicated to giving back to the veteran community, Chris has consistently displayed a generous and patriotic spirit which permeates throughout his business and his family. Congratulations to Chris and Amber Cruise and the entire Cruise Customs team. I thank you for your brave service to this country and for your charitable spirit. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to watching 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 Cruise Customs of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, as the Senate Small Business of the Week | Senator Rand Paul - Senator Rand Paul