Rand Paul returns to Senate after assault
WASHINGTON — Walking gingerly, Sen. Rand Paul returned to the Senate yesterday after an attack in his yard that left him with six broken ribs.
The Kentucky Republican cast his votes with his arms at his sides, unable to execute the customary Senate step of raising a hand and signaling yes or no.
As Paul arrived in the Capitol, a smiling Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., extended his hand to Paul, but he declined to shake it, indicating even that minor motion would cause discomfort.
“While I’m still in a good deal of pain, I will be returning to work in the Senate today, ready to fight for liberty and help move forward with tax cuts in the coming days and weeks,” Paul posted on his Twitter account earlier in the day.
He declined to answer reporters’ questions about the assault.
Paul was attacked Nov. 3 while mowing his lawn, authorities said. Robert Porter, Paul’s close friend of 20 years, said the senator had got off his riding lawn mower to remove a limb when he was tackled from behind. Porter said Paul was wearing ear protection and did not hear the attack coming.
Police charged Paul’s neighbor Rene Boucher with misdemeanor assault. Boucher pleaded not guilty last week in Bowling Green and could face more charges. The FBI is investigating to see if any federal laws were broken.
Boucher and Paul have been neighbors for 17 years. Boucher’s attorney said the attack was not motivated by politics but “by a dispute most people would find trivial.” He has not elaborated.