A deal to end the 41-day government shutdown is running into turbulence, thanks to a single Senate objection: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Senate Republican and Democratic leaders say they need to resolve Paul’s objection to a provision in the government funding package before they can accelerate consideration of the bill. The provision would restrict the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based products.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) made the stakes clear Monday morning. There is only one “objector” to speeding up Senate consideration of the government funding package — Paul. The senator wants to strip a section from the bill that would prevent the sale of hemp-derived products like Delta-8 at gas stations, corner stores, or online without federal regulation.
Paul defended his stance as part of his duty to Kentucky. “Just to be clear: I am not delaying this bill. The timing is already fixed under Senate procedure. But there is extraneous language in this package that has nothing to do with reopening the government and would harm Kentucky’s hemp farmers and small businesses,” he said in a statement posted on X. “Standing up for Kentucky jobs is part of my job,” he added.
Paul’s spokesperson reinforced the message. “Dr. Rand Paul affirms his commitment to reopening the government without delay. However, he objects to the inclusion of provisions in the government-funding package that unfairly target Kentucky’s hemp industry,” the aide said, according to Politico, noting the language is “unrelated to the budget and the government-reopening goal.”
The Senate had already taken a major first step toward ending the shutdown Sunday night, voting to end debate on a motion to proceed to a House-passed continuing resolution. But procedural rules require 30 hours of “post-cloture” debate before senators can vote to proceed, followed by four more votes to pass the full funding package.
Thune expressed frustration over the delay. “I don’t think it’s anyone’s best interest to drag this out,” he said, confirming that Paul’s objection targets “a provision in the Ag appropriations bill.” A Senate GOP aide said the vote could move immediately if Paul lifts his objection.
Paul has already filed an amendment to strip the hemp provision from the bill. His move has drawn pushback from the alcohol industry, which says hemp-derived intoxicants should remain regulated. A coalition including the American Distilled Spirits Alliance, the Beer Institute, the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., Wine America, and the Wine Institute urged senators to oppose Paul’s proposal.
“Manufacturers of beverage alcohol, one of the most highly regulated consumer products, urge the Senate to reject Sen. Paul’s attempts to allow hemp-derived THC products to be sold devoid of federal regulation and oversight across the country,” the groups wrote. They said they will work with Congress and the Trump administration to enact regulations to “protect consumers and ensure a safe, orderly marketplace for these intoxicating products.”
On the Democratic side, there appears to be no slowdown. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a key negotiator on the deal, said Monday night, “I don’t know of anybody on the Dem side who’s going to slow it down between votes.”
