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Senators Leave Town Cautiously Optimistic That Shutdown Talks Are Progressing

“I express optimism because whenever you’re talking, that’s better than not,” Sen. Gary Peters said.

Gary Peters AP-25093624678397

Sen. Gary Peters. Mark Schiefelbein/AP

By Ursula Perano and Riley Rogerson

October 30, 2025 03:43 p.m.

For the first time in a month, there’s hope on Capitol Hill that the government shutdown will end — maybe even next week.

But whether that momentum is real, or wishcasting, is not yet clear. And lawmakers left town on Thursday before anyone could really find out.

“People are talking. We’re continuing to talk,” Sen. Gary Peters told NOTUS. “I express optimism because whenever you’re talking, that’s better than not.”