Strolling to the Senate flooring on Monday afternoon, Thune was requested by a reporter if he was “optimistic of the deal to open the federal government this week” and whether or not there had been “progress over the weekend.”
“I am optimistic,” Thune mentioned.
“Assured?” the reporter requested.
“Do not push it,” Thune replied, laughing.
Getting back from the ground, Thune expanded on his pondering.
“I simply suppose, based mostly on, form of, my intestine of how this stuff function, I believe we’re getting near an off-ramp right here, however … that is in contrast to every other authorities shutdown, when it comes to the best way Democrats are reacting to it,” he mentioned.
He declined to supply specifics about ongoing talks to resolve the stalemate, however reiterated the supply he has prolonged to Democrats.
“I believe there are a selection of issues that we now have made accessible to Democrats when it comes to the trail ahead on appropriations, on doing, you understand, clearly the minibus that we have already got handed within the Senate, and clearly we have indicated up to now that in the event that they wish to vote on no matter their Obamacare invoice is, a sure date by which they might have that vote,” Thune mentioned. “So it is all — these are issues that I believe, once more, I have been saying for a while now. They have to be keen to take sure for a solution.”
The feedback got here as some senators have forecasted a potential finish to the shutdown this week, as Republicans argue that Democrats could also be keen to relent after Tuesday’s elections. In the meantime, Democrats argue the stress might be up on the GOP as a result of rising medical insurance premiums, now seen after open enrollment on the Inexpensive Care Act market started over the weekend.
![[Tambay] Valentine’s Day pa — saka na pag-usapan sina Sara, Robin, at Marcoleta](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2026/02/tambay-valentines-feb-14-2026.jpg "[Tambay] Valentine’s Day pa — saka na pag-usapan sina Sara, Robin, at Marcoleta")
