Thune says bipartisan shutdown talks have been positive

As the longest U.S. government shutdown in history continued into its 39th day, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he would describe the bipartisan talks to reopen the government as positive in nature. 

According to Thune, lawmakers are working on an updated short-term measure to get the government operating again as well as three full-year spending bills covering agriculture/food aid, veterans/military construction, and congressional operations. 

There are nine additional spending bills for agencies such as homeland security, health, housing and defense also in the works.