Democrats softening tone on insurer subsidy demands

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Affordable Care Act insurer subsidies are "one of the things, there's a whole list" Democrats want to see included — or not included — in a spending bill deal, due Friday. "Our number goal is no poison pills, we haven't finished negotiating that yet," he said.

Between the lines: This does not sound like a government shutdown threat, which is what Democratic aides were channeling over the last couple weeks.

What to watch: Does any other Democratic leader publicly threaten a shutdown if the insurer payments aren't in the bill?