Whiffs of cautious optimism emerged Wednesday after congressional talks to end the U.S. government shutdown were making some headway, the rub being members on both sides were casting the other as about to crack.

The shutdown entered its 30th day on Thursday. And while there have been ongoing informal talks between rank-and-file Senate Democrats through recent weeks, none have led to a resolution.

But Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he is expected to meet soon with a group of rank-and-file Democrats and that cross-party talks among other senators have "ticked up significantly."

Some Republicans downplayed that much had really changed. And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Republicans aren’t offering anything different. He did add, though, he wa

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