In a significant blow to efforts to swiftly end the government shutdown, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has emerged as the lone Republican opposing the Senate’s bipartisan spending package, potentially extending the closure by several days.

Paul cast the only Republican “no” vote during a procedural motion to break a filibuster on the legislation, citing concerns over provisions that would restrict “unintoxicating hemp-based” products. The measure specifically targets unregulated sales of intoxicating hemp products at gas stations and small retailers, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD products.

Despite the Senate securing the necessary 60 votes to break the initial filibuster, Paul’s opposition threatens to significantly slow down the legislative process. Senate rules allow for up to 30 hours of debate following a filibuster vote, unless unanimous consent is reached to expedite proceedings.

“It’s about speed,” explained congressional observers familiar with Senate procedures. Without Paul’s cooperation, the chamber faces a complex and time-consuming path forward.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) now faces a procedural gauntlet. After breaking the first filibuster, Thune plans to introduce a “substitute amendment” that would replace the original House-passed text with the newly negotiated spending package. This process alone requires multiple steps—including another cloture vote that cannot occur until Thursday due to Senate rules requiring an “intervening day” before such votes.

If no agreement with Paul is reached, the Senate might not pass the revised bill until next Monday, leaving the House unable to take action until Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. This timeline would significantly extend the shutdown’s duration, impacting millions of federal workers and government services.

The hemp regulation at the center of Paul’s objection represents a small but contentious portion of the larger spending bill. Hemp industry stakeholders have been divided on regulatory approaches, with some supporting tighter controls on intoxicating products to preserve the legitimacy of the broader CBD market, while others view such restrictions as overreach.

Kentucky, Paul’s home state, has emerged as a significant hemp producer following the crop’s federal legalization in the 2018 Farm Bill. The state’s farmers have invested heavily in hemp cultivation, with many focusing on CBD production while navigating complex regulatory environments.

Political analysts note that Paul, known for his libertarian leanings, has frequently used procedural leverage to advance policy positions or extract concessions. His current stance aligns with his longstanding skepticism toward federal regulation and support for Kentucky’s agricultural interests.

Meanwhile, pressure mounts as the shutdown deepens. Federal agencies have already implemented contingency plans, furloughing thousands of workers and scaling back essential services. Economic analysts warn of growing impacts on the broader economy if the closure extends beyond a week.

The spending package itself represents a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation in a deeply divided Congress. Negotiated over several months, it addresses funding priorities from both parties while incorporating several policy riders—including the hemp provision that has now become a sticking point.

Senate leadership continues to negotiate with Paul behind the scenes, hoping to secure an agreement that would accelerate the legislative timeline. Without such a deal, the procedural roadblocks could force an extended shutdown despite broad support for the underlying legislation.

As one Senate aide put it, “The irony is that a provision affecting a small portion of the agricultural market could end up costing the economy billions in shutdown impacts.”