Sen Paul Ends Filibuster: Hopes Debate 'Will Continue'

Senator Rand Paul yielded the floor to end his filibuster Thursday after 12 hours of speaking and taking questions on the floor. Paul thanked the Senate staff and fellow members for sticking through the “long day” while he brought up “important issues.” “I think the American people can tolerate debate,” Paul said. “We need more of it.” Paul concluded his arguments by saying that no one can be for “half of the Fifth Amendment” or due process and thanked top Democrat Senator Dick Durbin for staying to engage and answer questions. “There was nothing mean spirited,” Paul remarked.

Senator Paul said that he would stay on the floor until President Obama or Attorney General Eric Holder answered questions about the limitations of using drone strikes on U.S. citizens. Paul lamented in his closing statement that he had not received any response from the Administration. He said that while he would like to go for the previous record of a filibuster — 24 hours — he found that there are “limitations” to doing that procedure. “I’m going to have to take care of some of those in a few minutes,” Paul joked. When Paul completed his statement there was thunderous applause and a standing ovation on the Senate floor.