Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has a reputation for defending civil liberties, but his silence on a recent Senate bill could threaten that perception.
According to The Hill, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act is moving through the Senate as legislators try to pass it before the August recess.
Supporters claim that CISA will improve security measures against hackers, but opponents see it as an expansion of government power to get data on private citizens. Robert Graham, CEO of Errata Security, wrote in a March blog post that CISA “will do little to prevent attacks, but do a lot to increase mass surveillance.”
Paul, however, has yet to make any statements regarding CISA. Given his poll numbers in the aftermath of his opposition to the NSA and the use of drones, it could be a politically popular move with the approach of the first Republican presidential debate.
The problem is a lack of media attention. Donald Trump, Planned Parenthood, and the Iran deal have dominated headlines. The first GOP presidential candidate debate is Thursday, and candidates might pass on CISA issues to prepare for the debate.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, a previous ally with Paul on civil liberties issues, is prominent in opposition to CISA, and claims bipartisan support in his effort.
Paul appeals to younger Republicans for his stances on civil liberties and willingness to disagree with Republican leadership, but it’s a difficult line to keep while growing support for his presidential campaign. Older Republican voters tend to worry more about national security and terrorism.
In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, 20 percent of Republicans cited terrorism as the most important issue to them in the upcoming election. Arguments about civil liberties fall on deaf ears when Republicans voters see a tradeoff between security and freedom. More security gets prioritized.
Whether Paul makes a stand against CISA or remains silent could signal which voter demographic he’s chasing.
