Dear CCI Friends,
You will enjoy this sensible and courageous approach from Senator Rand Paul. Growing up around former Congressman Ron Paul, Rand Paul has more experience and confidence than most others in Congress. I had heard through the grapevine that he intended to take a trip to Russia, but frankly believed it must be too good to be true. During my May trip to Washington, I had the opportunity to visit with four of Senator Paul’s policy people. They were clearly a head and shoulders above the average policy aides in other offices.
Of course, Paul will take a scouring from other senators and members for breaking ranks, but like his father, with whom I met several times in the 90’s and 2000’s, it won’t ruffle his feathers. He may lead this new young minority of Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Libertarians who are breaking tradition and voting together across the aisle. May their numbers increase! I heard in D.C. that with this next election there stands to be 40 new members under 40 years of age––no doubt most of them are quite different from the generation now running Congress.
Join me in calling or writing Senator Paul’s office to express support for his initiative to bring Russian law makers to Washington. Hope is in the air!
Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives
Strategic Culture
August 7, 2018
Senator Rand Paul Visits Russia to Encourage ‘Vital Engagement’ Between Lawmakers
ARKADY SAVITSKY
Donald Trump is not the only American politician to be striving for a better relationship with Moscow in defiance of multiple opponents who are raising a ruckus about his stance on Russia. The hysterical reaction to the US president’s summit with the Russian leader in Helsinki did not keep Republican Senator Rand Paul from doing what he believes is right — going to Moscow as the head of a US delegation, which also included Texas State Senator Don Huffines and the president of the Cato Institute, Peter Goettler, in order to spur contacts with Russian lawmakers.
During the talks in Moscow on Aug.6, he invited Russian senators to visit Washington.“Today, I met with Chairman Kosachev, and we agreed on the importance of continued dialogue. I invited the Russian Federation to send a delegation to the Capitol, and they have agreed to take this important next step,” Mr. Paul stated. It’ll be the first Russian parliamentary delegation to have traveled to Washington in nearly three years. The senator thinks “our biggest problem right now is no dialogue,” emphasizing that“engagement is vital to our national security and peace around the world.”