The retiring Senate Democrat leading quiet government shutdown talks

• Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) — another key Democrat engaged in bipartisan conversations — on Wednesday characterized the talks as "casual or loose."
• Shaheen joined a bipartisan group of senators for dinner at a Thai place in D.C. on Tuesday.
• She has also been working the phones, making calls to both Democrats and Republicans while she was in New Hampshire over the weekend.

The big picture: Shaheen is considered a bellwether for Senate Democrats. If she backs a bipartisan compromise, it likely unlocks a critical chunk of Democratic votes.

• Leadership hasn't blessed the rank and file-level talks, but they are being kept in the loop, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) checking in with members each night.
• The talks are sputtering and haven't progressed very far, according to sources on both sides of the aisle. And the Senate isn't getting any closer to opening up the government, with lawmakers on Wednesday rejecting both GOP and Democratic funding proposals.
• "I think we need to open the government back up and I think people need to sit down and talk to each other," Shaheen told reporters in the Capitol Wednesday.

Go deeper: These crucial deadlines could pressure the government to reopen