Rand Paul: 'Unequivocally' supports Civil Rights Act

Kentucky Senate nominee Rand Paul (R) is pushing back against reports that he would support repealing the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

"Even though this matter was settled when I was 2, and no serious people are seeking to revisit it except to score cheap political points, I unequivocally state that I will not support any efforts to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964," he said in a statement Thursday. "I believe we should work to end all racism in American society and staunchly defend the inherent rights of every person."
 
Paul, the son of libertarian Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), said he "overwhelmingly" agreed with the "intent of the legislation."
 
"As I have said in previous statements, sections of the Civil Rights Act were debated on Constitutional grounds when the legislation was passed. Those issues have been settled by federal courts in the intervening years," he said. "My opponent's statement on MSNBC Wednesday that I favor repeal of the Civil Rights Act was irresponsible and knowingly false. I hope he will correct the record and retract his claims."