Paul is sounding more optimistic than some about how long a government shutdown could last. He told NBC News how he suspects the stalemate will be resolved.
"I think in the end, what will happen is the White House will say, we'll negotiate with you over these Obama Care pandemic subsidies," Paul said. "And I think once there's an agreement that there''ll be a negotiation I quickly think the Democrats will go ahead and vote for the spending levels."
But prediction markets are less rosy, with several betting on a shutdown lasting between a week and two weeks. President Donald Trump and White House allies are threatening mass layoffs and pulling funding from Democratic-leaning states and cities while House Speaker Mike Johnson has said Republicans have "nothing to negotiate."
Democrats are pushing for the continuation and expansion of tax breaks for about 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act. So far, they have refused to back a government spending bill that does not address the issue.
Republicans maintain they are open to considering a fix for the ACA tax breaks, but not until a stopgap spending bill is passed -- legislation that does address the subsidies.