Sen. Rand Paul on Sunday blasted Democrats and President Joe Biden over COVID-19 mandates, urging Americans to "resist."
The Kentucky Republican also promised to introduce amendments to any bill that would cut the funding of federal agencies whose employees do not return to work in person.
"They can’t arrest all of us," he said in a 3.5-minute video posted to Twitter. "They can’t keep all of your kids home from school. They can’t keep every government building closed. Although, I’ve got a long list of ones they might keep closed or might ought to keep closed."
"Nancy Pelosi, you will not arrest or stop me or anyone on my staff from doing our jobs," Paul continued. "We have either had COVID, had the vaccine, or been offered the vaccine. We will make our own health choices. We will not show you a passport. We will not wear a mask. We will not be forced into random screenings and testings, so you can continue your drunk-with-power reign over the Capitol."
Some states have tightened restrictions in the wake of the Delta variant, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a mask mandate in the U.S. Capitol in late July after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance which said vaccinated people should wear a face covering indoors.
"President Biden: We will not accept your agency’s mandates or your reported moves toward a lockdown," Paul said. "No one should follow the CDC’s anti-science mask mandates. And if you want to shut down federal agencies again, some of which aren’t even back to work yet, I will stop every bill coming through the Senate with an amendment to cut their funding if they don’t come back to work in-person."