House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill are "ready to sit down to work things out," after President Donald Trump said Monday that he'd be open to striking a deal with Democrats on the health care subsidies they've made central to the shutdown fight.

The presidents remarks Monday cracked open the door slightly to negotiations that Republicans have said should only happen after the government reopens.

But Trump also said “billions and billions” are being wasted, nodding to arguments from conservatives who do not want the health subsidies extended to lessen the cost of plans offered under the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare.

Trump's comments were one of the few hopeful signs Monday as the government shutdown extended to its sixth day. Negotiations between the two parties have been virtually non-existent since the start of the shutdown despite the impact on federal services. Democrats have been urging that Trump get involved, with many saying no deal will be possible without the president's approval.

The two Democratic leaders in Congress, Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer, both denied that there are any negotiations with Trump. Jeffries said the White House "has gone radio silent” since a meeting in the Oval Office last week.