Senator Rand Paul joined Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business to discuss federal disaster relief in light of California’s devastating wildfires.
Paul, known for his focus on cutting federal spending, raised concerns about borrowing money for aid and questioned whether existing funds could be reallocated more effectively.
Maria Bartiromo opened the segment by asking, “Senator, thanks very much for joining me. You’ve been laser-focused on cutting federal spending, but in cases like these devastating fires, does the government need to step in and give aid now to California?”
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Paul expressed empathy for those affected but questioned the federal government’s fiscal approach. “Well, I think all of America is, you know, horrified by the personal distress and the loss of property and just the devastation that we’re seeing on television. But there is a question, I mean, should we just keep borrowing the money or putting the money up? No, I think the money has to come from real money through taxation or what have you,” Paul stated.

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The senator emphasized the importance of reallocating existing funds rather than increasing the national debt. “We give billions of dollars already to California; maybe some of that money could be rechanneled into an effort,” he suggested.
Paul also pointed to forest management practices, contrasting California with other states like Texas, where fire risks are reportedly lower.
“Are there man-made or governmental reasons why fires are increasing in California but decreasing in Texas? Worldwide, fires are on a downward slope as far as total amount of burned areas, but in California, they’re up. Does it have to do with management of brush? Can we mechanically remove brush? Can we mechanically or have prescribed fires to remove brush so we don’t have such big fires?”
Highlighting concerns about competence, Paul cautioned against blindly allocating funds without oversight.
“Without question, we have to ask about the competence of the people you’re talking about giving the money to before you do it.”
Paul then pivoted to the broader issue of government waste. Referencing his annual “Festivus Waste Report,” Paul noted opportunities for significant savings, citing an example from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“The NIH spent $759 million on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Now, I thought they were doing science over there, but apparently, they’re doing racial BS over there. What I would say is, there’s a lot of money like that throughout government. Let’s cut those things and move it over to disaster. Let’s just don’t add on to the debt.”
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He criticized both Democrats and Republicans for their approach to disaster aid funding.
“Many, most Democrats and many Republicans will say, ‘Oh, you don’t have to pay for disaster aid. That’s the one thing we never pay for.’ Well, it’s every month. It was a month ago we just borrowed $100 billion for North Carolina, and now for them to say, immediately, we’re going to do it again. Let’s look at the money we already give to California, maybe, and rechannel some of that into protecting the people through better forest management.”
NEW: Rand Paul has questions about the federal govt’s disaster relief aid to CA:
“There is a question, I think President-elect Trump has brought this up. Are the people out there capable of spending the money wisely?
“Are there, manmade or governmental reasons why fires are… pic.twitter.com/AidXFWkE4j
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) January 11, 2025
Paul’s remarks underline his call for fiscal responsibility and a reexamination of government spending priorities, particularly as the nation grapples with natural disasters and mounting debt.
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750 bucks a piece, that’s all they gave South Carolina and Hawaii.
When the Sherman burned Atlanta and Columbia S.C. to the ground, there was no federal aid to help the people rebuild.
Don’t give them a nickle, they voted for destruction, and got it.
I remember way back in the day we could go to the forest and get downed trees to use as fire wood, well they stopped that long ago, in fact you can;t even use your fireplace in Commiiefornia
Until the people in North Carolina are not living in tents in the snow not one cent to CA!!!! Are you kidding me!
Biden chooses to help California, because fires are results of Democrats’ failed policies. It’s CYA for the party of death.