Rand Paul's Army Gathers in the Capitol to Help Him Block Patriot Act
The Kentucky senator's allies in the House are ready to block the bill with him.
by David Weigel
May 31, 2015 6:06 PM EDT
Shortly before 5 p.m., when Rand Paul took the Senate floor, his allies outnumbered his opponents. Michigan Representative Justin Amash and Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie sat in benches at the back, silently rooting on the Kentucky senator, whom they'd already endorsed for president. At least 30 young people wearing red and black "Stand With Rand" T-shirts sat transfixed in the public gallery. No supporter of the Patriot Act or the USA Freedom Act stayed around for Paul's opening speech of the debate. The "Stand With Rand" crowd did.
"The president Obama who once was against the Patriot Act, the President Obama who once believed in the Fourth Amendment, is the same person now scooping up all your records illegally," said Paul.
When the senator wrapped, and photographers scrambled to find him, the young supporters stayed in their seats. They were anticipating a 6 p.m. round of votes that could gauge the support Paul had for blocking reauthorization of spying programs. Amash and Massie ambled into the hallway, a place they were ready to spend much of the night if the Senate passed a bill and threw it to the House.
"Technically, the House is able to act," said Amash.
"There can't be unanimous consent if one person objects," said Massie.
"And we would object," said Amash.
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