Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky kicked off the first in-person TFAS Capitol Hill Lecture since pandemic regulations paused large gatherings last year. More than 460 interns packed the senate briefing room to hear the senator’s speech.

He shared the importance of free markets and capitalism with the students, emphasizing the positive outcomes of the economic system on local communities.

“If you want to help people, you have to believe in capitalism,” Senator Paul said. “No other economic system helps people the way capitalism does. Capitalism allows excess money to flow back into the community.”

In 2012, The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) joined forces with the Office of Sen. Rand Paul to launch this one-of-kind lecture series that brings the ideas of free markets, individual liberty and civil society to future leaders interning on Capitol Hill. Today, more than 1,000 interns attend the series each year, meeting face-to-face with prominent leaders advancing the cause for freedom.

TFAS President Roger Ream ’76 says TFAS is proud to work with Paul on this initiative, because he is someone who – based on his background in medicine – is dedicated to diagnosing problems and finding solutions, and that he brings that same passion to his work in the U.S. Senate.

“He believes in our constitution, he believes in our free enterprise system, the rule of law and limited government,” Ream said. “These principles animate the initiatives he works on.”

To view the full recording of the lecture, click on the video below:

Please visit TFAS.org/CHLS to learn more about the 2021 Capitol Hill Lecture Series. New dates will be announced later in July, and registration for the individual lectures opens 10 days before each event. If you have any questions about the series, please contact Jane Mack at jmack@TFAS.org or 202.986.0384.