There were some signs of possible progress as the White House has appeared open to trying to strike a deal with Democrats to avert a shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated that he might be open to considering some of the Democrats’ demands, but he encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk and find agreement. The White House had invited some Democrats for a discussion to better understand their positions and avoid a partial government shutdown, a senior White House official said, but the meeting did not happen. Even if the Senate can resolve the issue, House Republicans have said they do not want any changes to the bill they have passed. “The package will not come back through the House without funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” according to the letter.