U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s push to close a legal loophole that allowed intoxicating hemp products to hit the marketplace seven years ago has turned into a dividing line in the advancing effort to reopen the federal government , with fellow U.S. Sen. Rand Paul opposing his Kentucky colleague.

After a critical vote on Nov. 9, senators are moving forward with a potential plan that would end the government shutdown , which has dragged out for more than 40 days. The path forward includes combining three appropriations measures into one bill, which could pass through Congress this week and is expected to be approved if it reaches President Donald Trump's desk.

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