Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) annual festival waste report, released Monday, is the taxpayer-subsidized flood insurance that some of our most beloved (and hated) celebrities are eligible for. The target is
The senator's report did not disappoint, with taxpayer-funded projects this year including securing the Paraguayan border, research into the connection between lone rats and cocaine, and “a variety of magical projects.” It emphasizes absurd and bizarre projects.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are leading President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) this year, and many fans of the report are excited about the elimination of Paul's favorite targets and progress on reforms. I have higher expectations than ever before.
Paul took to the Senate floor on Monday to expose the ultra-wealthy Hollywood celebrities who can get government insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Paul's targets included A-list movie stars, former entertainers, and '80s pop stars.
Paul first targeted Nicolas Cage.
“Hey, it's a nice house, [worth] “In New Orleans, 4.2 million people will be covered by government insurance,” Paul told the Senate. “Look, I love Nicolas Cage. I go to parties at his house…I pay to go to his movies, but I don't think I should get insurance for his house. I don't think so.
“If he can get a $4.2 million house, you can get his own insurance,” Paul asserted.
Paul's next target was the actor, perhaps most infamous for his portrayal as a dull-witted marionette puppet in Team America: World Police.
“Matt Damon, he's made a lot of good movies and I'm sure he's doing great. His property costs $20 million and has government insurance,” Paul said. . “Hmm, would Matt Damon be embarrassed if he found out the government was going to subsidize his first $250,000? Aren't we all embarrassed?”
Paul blamed the failed NFIP for losing funding and argued that Congress should reform it before simply reauthorizing it.
“There's a $16 billion hole in this program, and we want to renew the program without making any reforms. If we keep doing this, we're going to keep losing money. Keep doing the same thing. Maybe Matt. Damon can get his own insurance.”
The Kentucky native then turned to the former pop icon turned Disney soundtrack purveyor.
“Phil Collins, he made good music – it must have been great music. His home in Biscayne Bay, Florida, is worth $40 million, which is also covered by government insurance.” Paul said on the Senate floor.
“Cher, she's been good for a long time,” Paul said. “She has a $42 million property in Miami Beach that is also covered by government insurance.
“You know, we can go on and on, but the point is, this doesn't mean we don't like rich people or appreciate their success. No, I'm all for it. I'm not for giving them free stuff. Why give them subsidized insurance?”
Paul proposed two amendments to place price caps on properties insured by the NFIP. Homeowners are still eligible to purchase private flood insurance.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) blocked Paul's request for unanimous consent to pass an amendment to Kennedy's NFIP authorization extension. Kennedy's bill also failed to pass unanimously.
“This program is going to cost billions of dollars. No matter how you measure it, it's $3 billion, $40 billion, $50 billion in the hole,” Paul says. said. “Why not teach rich people to buy their own insurance?”
NFIP is regulated by FEMA, a government agency that is notoriously incompetent. The program's authorization expired on Dec. 20, so NFIP cannot sell or renew flood insurance policies. Existing policies remain in effect until their expiration date.
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News' Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
