One on one with Sen. Paul- debt and new FDA proposal

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Big news in Washington…

Democrats and Republicans reached an agreement this morning to raise the debt limit. The deal saves the country from financial default, which would have impacted every American citizen. 

But Kentucky Senator Rand Paul doesn’t think the deal is a good idea.

LEXI: “Do you agree with this or why not?”

PAUL: “I think borrowing another $5 trillion this year is irresponsible, it’s going to lead to inflation, it’s going to lead to rising prices at the grocery store, at the gas pump, rent, you name it. And it’s going to hurt a lot of working class people who are on fixed income or retired.”

Now that the debt is at historic levels, there’s even talk the U.S. Treasury Department would have to mint a $1 trillion coin. 

Republicans had held strong against the Democrats until Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell offered the compromise. 

LEXI: “Do you think the potential extension that Sen. McConnell brought up would just extend inevitable problems?”

PAUL: “I think the debt we’re accumulating at this point is historic in the sense that we’re accumulating it more rapidly than we’ve ever accumulated debt in our history. We’re at 5% inflation. Some are saying we could get to 6 or 7% but I think we could actually get to double digits or 10% inflation like we had in the 1970s.”

As all of this unfolded, Sen. Paul was also introducing a new FDA proposal to limit animal testing and use different methods. 

LEXI: “Do you think the FDA is going to support it, do you think they’re going to change?”

SEN. PAUL: “So there is a debate over what’s necessary but there’s also a debate over what is humane. I think our sensibility has changed over time.

There may be times when it is necessary to use animals in research and I think they still will but our bill gives them the option. Right now they have to use animals, we’re going to give them the option to have other way outs. Scientists are like anybody else there’s gonna be scientists that own pets and dogs so you know what, let’s see if there’s another way. This will include Republicans and Democrats, people think we can’t get along in Washington but guess what- when it comes to puppies, maybe we can find some bipartisanship.”