The next big issue on Capitol Hill is how to avoid a government shutdown as funding negotiations are under way.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky says the government needs to spend less.

He made the comments today while speaking to the Franklin Simpson Chamber of Commerce during an open house held at the city's new police department.

But he also acknowledged growing concerns over tariffs and the national deficit should work.

So I think we ought to look at every item in government.

No item should be excluded, and we should have a little bit of Erica, just a little bit less for everything.

And I will propose a budget that does that is called the penny plan.

Budget.

And I will introduce that in the next two weeks.

And it will balance the budget over five years.

And I don't have enough votes to pass it, but I am getting more each year.

I think we've gotten up to about 30, and I got to somehow get to about 50 or even 60, but most of the people up there still think they can borrow and spend.

But that borrowing spending is making it difficult for people to afford groceries because of inflation, and also people to avoid.

It's difficult for people to afford buying a house now because interest rates are high, but also the home prices have gone up, substantially in the last few years.

Congress has until the end of the month to reach a temporary funding agreement or risk a government shutdown.

We also asked Senator Paul if he has plans to make a run for the white House in 2028.

Here's his answer.

It is too early, but I think there needs to be a voice within the Republican Party that believes in balanced budgets, but also that international trade is good for our country and that we can all become richer the more we interact with the world.

I also think it's important that the more we trade with people, the less likely we are to fight.

So if you want to avoid foreign wars, you want to get it forward.

Avoid being entangling in war.

I think the more we trade with people, the better.

And I think that voice is getting smaller in the Republican Party.

So whether it's in the Senate or running for the presidency, I want to be a voice that says capitalism is what made our country great.

And trade is a big part of capitalism.

Some Kentucky farmers are voicing concerns over tariffs, along with high production costs and declining commodity prices.