What to know on Day 29 of the government shutdown:

There were signs of progress on ending the government shutdown for the first time in weeks on Wednesday, with senators expressing cautious optimism about bipartisan talks aimed at resolving the impasse, now on its 29th day.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in the morning that talks among rank-and-file senators have "ticked up significantly," and that the conversations might be a "precursor of things to come."

Senators pointed to a number of upcoming deadlines as motivating factors, including pay for the military and an upcoming freeze of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , which helps 42 million Americans buy food.

Other senators did not see a breakthrough as imminent. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of No

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