As promised, Rand Paul begins "filibuster" of Patriot Act extension

Paul, who’s made opposition to government surveillance a key tenet of his quest for the White House, started speaking at about 1:15 p.m. Paul aides said that his speech is a “filibuster” of Republican leaders’ efforts to reauthorize sunsetting parts of the PATRIOT Act, but his speech has a time limit — the chamber is currently working through debate on a trade bill.

Paul defended his staunch opposition to many forms of government spying, saying that many of the programs revealed by NSA leaker Edward Snowden haven’t helped make the country more secure.

“I’m not even sure you can argue that we are safer, but people will argue they feel safer,” Paul said.