National Federation of Republican Women
Rand Paul, other Republican elected officials brief NFRW members 

Local Resident Among More than 100 ‘Red Coats’ at U.S. Capitol 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), fresh from a 13-hour Senate filibuster that captivated the nation the night before, privately briefed more than 100 Republican women leaders from across the country during the National Federation of Republican Women’s (NFRW) biennial Legislative Day at the U.S. Capitol on March 7. 

Lyn Bliss, Greenville, was among those from Ohio attending the event. Bliss is Vice-president of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women (OFRW). She joined OFRW President Jean Turner, OFRW Membership Chair Mary Anne Christie and Tribute to Women Chair Marilyn Clark in representing Ohio. 

Paul, who received an enthusiastic standing ovation from the crowd, explained why he is concerned about the President’s drone policy. 

“The question we’re asking the President is, do you have the authority to kill an American, who’s not engaged in combat, on American soil,” he said. Paul told the women he would keep asking the question until he got a definitive response from the White House, which came later that day. 

The group also heard from at least 30 other Republican congressional elected officials, including U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (AK), Johnny Isakson (GA), Richard Burr (NC), and Michael Enzi (WY). Sens. Lisa Murkowski (AK), Johnny Isakson (GA), Richard Burr (NC), and Michael Enzi (WY). They addressed a range of issues, including the sequester, the lack of a Senate budget, the debt ceiling, U.S. energy policy, and President Obama’s decision to suspend White House tours. 

Dressed in the traditional garb of red jackets, the “red coats” also met with their congressional delegations to advocate Republican issues and attended committee hearings and other legislative events. 

“It was a great honor to be able to meet with Speaker of the House John Boehner and Ohio Senator Rob Portman in their respective offices. We had an opportunity to discuss the budget, voter issues, and several other topics of interest to the Ohio delegation,” said Bliss. 

Founded in 1938, the NFRW has thousands of active members in local clubs across the nation and in several U.S. territories, making it one of the largest women’s political organizations in the country. The grassroots organization recruits and elects Republican candidates, advocates the GOP’s philosophy and initiatives, and empowers women in the political process.