President Donald Trump has reached a deal with Democrats to temporarily end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. He said that the shuttered agencies would be funded for three weeks while he works with Congressional leaders on a permanent solution, which would include funding for the construction of a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“After 36 days of spirited debate and dialogue, I have seen and heard from enough Democrats and Republicans that they are willing to put partisanship aside, I think, and put the security of the American people first,” Trump said
The temporary fix would provide funding until February 15th and will not include any money for the border wall. Trump said that all workers will receive back pay as soon as possible. He said he expects to sign the bill later today (January 25).
The president continued to make his pitch for the construction of a wall along "high-risk locations" on the U.S-Mexico border. He has asked for $5.7 billion to fund the wall, something that Democrats have refused to do.
Trump said that if an agreement cannot be reached by February 15th the government would shut down again, or he would consider using emergency powers to build the wall.
The president signed the bill officially reopening the government a few hours after delivering his speech.
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