Senate Majority Leader John Thune has signaled that he intends to soon engage with a group of Senate Democrats to address the ongoing 29-day government shutdown. This potential meeting would mark a rare bipartisan effort, as Th, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have not yet convened on the matter. The delay in formal talks has left the resolution to a smaller group of negotiators, with recent discussions intensifying due to the looming threats of a government shutdown, including the possible lapse of federal food aid for 42 million Americans.