President Donald Trump on Friday agreed to temporarily end the longest government shutdown in the US history and fund measures so that federal workers can return to work.
President Donald Trump signed a bill to reopen the government for three weeks until February 15.
The 35-days standoff had left 800,000 federal employees without pay for that entire duration. The deal was approved by both the Senate and the House with unanimous consent.
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However, before signing the deal, Trump had demanded $5.7 billion for the border wall.
“If we don’t get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on February 15 again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency,” Trump said. “We will have great security.”
President trump made it clear that this is not a concession. “I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!” he tweeted.
I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2019
The partial government shutdown – the longest in US history – has been in place since December 22, due to an impasse between Trump and the Congress over funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border.