Top of mind for many in the audience was the federal farm bill, a massive package of agricultural programs which typically comes up every five years. Reauthorization has been on pause, with Congress bypassing the deadline last year, but Paul said he thinks there may be a window for action after September.
One initiative Paul strongly opposes is an move make hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing quantifiable amounts of THC illegal. He told the audience the proposed hemp definition could destroy the hemp industry and urged listeners to contact their representatives.
"I'm very, very worried," he acknowledged. "You need to be loud and active in calling everybody in our delegation and others participating in national groups to try to get a better definition."
Paul also addressed his opposition to the now-approved GOP megabill over debt concerns and reiterated his worries about tariffs and trade battles. Pressed on the rescission package that claws back $8.3 billion foreign aid and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS, Paul said he's not opposed to public TV or radio and would prefer an across-the-board 6% cut to federal programs rather than all-or-nothing bills.
That said, he signaled his intent to vote for the rescission package due to concerns about the ballooning deficit.
Asked about a chilling effect on farm workers who are undocumented or partially documented amid ICE raids by masked officers and growing fears in immigrant communities, the senator said he shares that concern and urged the Trump administration to focus on individuals with criminal records.
"I am worried that the Trump administration needs to target the criminal element, gangs, those committing crimes," Paul said. "They need to stay away from law-abiding people."
Paul insisted he maintains a good working relationship with Trump, despite their differences — alluding to a recent golf outing the two participated in.
First reported by Spectrum News, trade association Spirits Canada says, from early March to the end of April, sales of American liquor in Canada slipped by 65%.
A consistent critic of tariffs, Paul was quizzed on the figures.
"I'm very concerned about it," he said. "The bourbon industry in Kentucky is a big industry for us now. People come from all around the world. We also sell it around the world and that's why I'm not for having a trade war with Canada. I'm not for having a trade war with Europe. Because one of the first things they retaliate on is something that's very American and very Kentucky."