The Senate is on the brink of voting to end the 40-day government shutdown, with an expected vote as soon as Sunday night to begin advancing legislation for resolution. However, the process could be significantly delayed due to the potential obstruction of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Paul has been warning GOP leaders that he will resist any bill that targets the hemp industry in Kentucky, which has become a major internal conflict within the Republican Party. His opposition has put him at odds with fellow Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, the senior member of the Appropriations Committee, who has managed to include language in the Agriculture spending bill that seeks to regulate certain intoxicating hemp products.
Prior to this development, Paul had warned GOP leaders that he would block the passage of any shutdown resolution unless his proposed language regarding hemp regulations is incorporated. In a recent interview, Paul stated that his fellow Senate Republicans are pushing policies that could potentially destroy an entire industry. This stance presents a significant hurdle in the legislative process, as Paul has indicated that delaying the passage of any resolution is a possibility unless his demands are met.