Sen. Paul moves into top GOP spot on Homeland Security panel, has focused on oversight

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), the new top Republican on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, focused on FBI social media surveillance practices during the panel’s year-end hearing last week and has scrutinized federal agencies’ spending plans, though he has not been closely involved in the committee’s most prominent cyber initiatives.

Paul announced last week that he would opt for the ranking member position on Homeland Security, after Republicans fell short in their efforts to gain control of the...