Senate Leader Thune Reports Nearing Deal to Reopen US Government

The evidence from multiple high-authority sources strongly supports the statement that Senate Leader Thune indicated a deal to reopen the government was nearing. Several sources directly corroborate this. For instance, one news outlet directly paraphrases Thune as saying that bipartisan talks had "taken a positive turn." Another report from Politico notes that Thune announced a vote to advance a "shutdown-ending deal," an action that signifies belief in a potential agreement. Further reports place his comments in the context of lawmakers being "close in on a deal."Additional sources, including his own official newsroom, show Thune actively engaged in negotiations, making offers to Democrats, and keeping the Senate in session until a resolution was reached, all of which are actions consistent with someone working towards an imminent deal. While a couple of sources report Thune calling specific Democratic proposals a "non-starter" or "not happening," these statements do not invalidate the overall claim. They reflect specific points of disagreement within a broader, fluid negotiation process. It is common for a negotiator to reject certain terms while simultaneously expressing optimism that an overall agreement is getting closer. The weight of the evidence directly shows Thune made public statements signaling positive progress, making the original claim likely true.