WASHINGTON — As the 35-day government shutdown ties for the longest in American history on Tuesday , senators predicted that the impasse could end this week. “I’m pretty confident,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. After weeks without any movement, bipartisan talks among rank-and-file members have been picking up, leading to the first public signs of optimism that the shutdown could soon end. Mullin said that some Democrats had privately indicated last week that they were willing to vote for