President Trump announced the end of a 35-day government shutdown, the longest in US history, saying there is a short term funding plan for three weeks, including back pay for federal workers, but does not include any money for a 'wall'.
Trump threatened another shutdown if Congress doesn't come back with the funding he wants for border security. The deal today will reopen federal offices through Feb. 15th.
Some 800,000 federal workers have had to work without pay or have been kept from doing their jobs as Trump and congressional Democrats were locked in a stalemate over the billions of dollars that Trump has demanded to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Missouri Senator Roy Blunt (R) issued this statement on the end of the shutdown:
“Shutdowns are bad politics and even worse government. Democrats say they’re for stronger border security. It’s time for them to get to the table. And then this process should be done through the normal structure. The president has a clear responsibility to secure the border and if Democrats cooperate we won’t end up in a place where this is done through declaring an emergency. That precedent could create real problems in the future on other issues."
Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO5) also released a statement:
“I am pleased that President Trump has agreed to reopen the government so that federal workers can get back to work and receive the paychecks and backpay they have rightfully earned. Over the past 35 days, I have advocated for this very move: reopen the government and allow Congress to conduct negotiations on border security through the regular process. But let’s be clear, this continuing resolution is for just three weeks.
Although the President stated he was willing to shut the government down yet again if Congress does not bend to his will, I hope he has learned that it makes no sense to shut down the government. We have seen the emotional damage the shutdown has caused, not just for the 800,000 federal workers, but the more than 1,000,000 contract workers and their families as well.
We’ve heard security experts relay the significant impact shutdowns have on national security. We’ve heard from economic experts convey the harmful effects this shutdown will have on the American economy. Governing by shutdown, as we’ve learned time and time again, isn’t only irresponsible, it’s untenable.
We expect the continuing resolution to clear the House and be signed by the President today. After this bill is signed, I look forward to working with both sides to fund a bill for Homeland Security to ensure reasonable border security.”
