On Day 37 of the longest government shutdown in history, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said she does not have a timetable of when we could see the government reopening, but she remains hopeful in recent movement she is seeing in Washington, D.C.

“I am hearing that there are at least 10 Democrats that are tired of this, realizing the pain that they’ve inflicted and want to get out. What I’m looking for are some appropriations bills," Capito said. "One of which is agriculture, which does cover the SNAP funding in it, the legislative branch and also military construction and veterans. These are important issues. We’ve already passed these. We’ll pass the conference committee with an extended CR, so we can work on other bills.”

Capito said they are waiting for Democrats so they can begin negotiating the issue that is at the center of the shutdown, which is healthcare costs. Affordable Care Act tax credits are set to expire at the end of year, which would cause premiums to drastically rise if not extended.

Capito said Republicans are ready to talk about this if Democrats open the government.

“We can’t get the Democrats to open the government before we begin negotiating. That’s always been the deal. In the Senate, the Republican leader has said all along he’s willing, and many of us have said this, including the president, to talk about the premium subsidy issue and healthcare, but they’re unwilling to open the government to have those discussions," Capito said.

West Virginia House Minority Leader Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, weighed in. He said it is impossible to think the minority party is the one holding the government hostage right now. Hornbuckle said what is set to happen to healthcare cannot happen, especially to West Virginians.

“If we’re talking about the shutdown in itself, one - it has been to keep West Virginians' healthcare premiums in a decent range. That bill that was passed this past summer by the federal administration and Congress, it is going to explode West Virginia’s healthcare premiums more than anyone else in the country. That simply can’t happen right now," Hornbuckle said.

As far as efforts back home to address shutdown-related issues such as SNAP loss, Hornbuckle said more can be done. So far, $11.1 million has gone out to food banks and pantries from the state, but Hornbuckle said this is a program that needs $1.5 million a day to operate.

“We as a state, we have the money to do this," Hornbuckle said. "We have an abundance of surplus. We could also follow other states that have tapped into their rainy day fund because it is an emergency. We have the tools. We have the resources to do it. If the governor didn’t want to do that, call us into special session. My caucus has led the charge on asking to go into work for the people. Call us into a special session, and we’ll get this done.”

Capito said she has not been given enough assurances to say when a deal could be reached, but she is hopeful for this weekend.

“It should be soon. It should’ve been yesterday. It should’ve been Oct. 1," Capito said.

Capito also discussed the recent Democratic wins across the country during Tuesday's elections. She said the Republicans will have to take a look at how to better address high costs and said it is likely the shutdown played a role.

“We need to address that issue more, whether it’s housing, whether it’s power costs, food costs," Capito said. "All of these things are very difficult for the American public, and when we have a shutdown like this, I think the voter is saying, 'Hey Republicans, you’re in charge of the House, Senate and the presidency. What are you doing?'”

As House and Senate Democrats in West Virginia wrap up the first leg of a statewide town hall tour, Hornbuckle said the voters on Tuesday sent a clear message that "kitchen table issues" are what people care about.

“I think Tuesday was a culmination of what my caucus has been talking about for over a year now. It’s kitchen table issues," Hornbuckle said. "What really matters is being able to afford to live. It’s being able to afford your healthcare, have access to healthcare, all those things, being able to keep your light bill down. We have seen from the party in charge right now that’s not what they’re focused on.”