Rand Paul Issues Challenge to Fellow Senators During Fiery Floor Speech Against Budget Deal: 'I Defy You...

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) issued a challenge to his fellow Senators early Friday morning during a passionate speech against the budget deal that ultimately made its way through Congress.

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The Republican presidential candidate, speaking on the floor of the Senate shortly after 2 a.m. in opposition to the measure which raises the debt ceiling through 2017, said many of his colleagues were out of touch with their constituents.

"The establishment in Washington is completely and utterly tone-deaf to the way America feels about this," the Kentucky senator said.

[sharequote align="center"]"The establishment in Washington is completely and utterly tone-deaf to the way America feels..."[/sharequote]

Paul then challenged the senators to "drive outside the beltway" and talk to individuals they randomly encounter.

"Ask the first person you meet at the supermarket, 'Do you think we should keep borrowing more money?' I don't care what party they are in. I defy you to drive outside the beltway — stop at a gas station, stop at a supermarket — and ask the first person: 'Do you think we should increase the debt and increase spending at the same time?'"

"Ask any parent of a college-age kid whether we should give them a credit card with no limit. Your child comes to you and has $2,000 on the credit card, what do you do? You tell them they have to watch their spending," he said. "Do you give them more money? No! Should we give Congress more money? Hell no!"

Despite Paul's speech against the deal, it had seemingly no impact when it came to voting. The controversial budget deal easily cleared the Senate with a final vote of 63-34. It now heads to President Barack Obama's desk for his signature.

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