Washington — The contours of a potential deal to reopen the government began to emerge on Tuesday as the shutdown was poised to become the longest in history, with senators discussing an agreement that would fund the government alongside long-term appropriations bills in exchange for a vote on extending health insurance tax credits that Democrats have demanded.

A bipartisan group of senators has been engaged in conversations in recent days as lawmakers search for an off-ramp in the shutdown fight. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Tuesday morning that he's hopeful the bipartisan group is close to a solution, while acknowledging the "cross-pressures that everybody's feeling" are "great."

Republicans argue that Democrats are waiting until after Tuesday's elections to ba

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