Rand Paul Filibusters Brennan Nomination

Sen. Paul’s filibuster can be viewed live on CSpan 2. Senator Rand Paul is leading a one-man filibuster of John Brennan’s nomination to lead the CIA.

Senator Paul is on the Senate floor quoting Hayek, Montesquieu, GlennGreenwald and an author at liberal blog FireDogLake in his effort toprevent Brennan’s nomination from going through. He says he will notstop until President Obama confirms thatdrones will not be used to target Americans on American soil.

Brennan’s nomination has been on the back burner for several weeks asother issues, including the nomination of Chuck Hagel to Secretary ofDefense, took precedence. Yesterday the logjam seemed to break when theWhite House agreed to show lawmakers the top-secret legal decisions usedto justify the killing of American citizens abroad. The SenateIntelligence Committee voted 12-3 to approve Brennan’s nomination onTuesday.

“If there was an ounce of courage in this body I would be joined bymany other Senators,” Sen. Paul said. “Would you tolerate a Republicanwho said I like the first amendment, I don’t plan to violate the firstamendment, but I might,” he asked rhetorically. He then turned thequestion around and asked if Republicans would tolerate that sort ofvaguery with regard to the 2nd amendment.