Trump Announces Temporary End to Government Shutdown

(WASHINGTON, DC) President Donald Trump announced Friday afternoon a temporary end to the longest government shutdown in American history. UPI reports the deal would lift the federal shutdown for three weeks, but does not include the $5.7 billion Trump requested to build a wall along the southern border with Mexico. Federal workers who have been on furlough or working without pay would receive back pay “very quickly or as soon as possible,” the president said. Once the government is reopened, a bipartisan conference committee in Congress will then review the Department of Homeland Security requests for border security. Trump called for congressional leaders to “put country before party.” Schumer said that though Democrats don’t agree with Republicans on some specifics of border security, they do see eye-to-eye on some issues including increased drug inspection technology and humanitarian aid at the border. Trump hinted he could turn to declare a national emergency if border wall funding is not included in new negotiations. The announcement brings to an end a 35-day federal shutdown where 800,000 non-essential government workers were furloughed and those that did work, missed at least one paycheck. Again, Trump has said all federal workers will receive any back pay owed, whether they worked during the shutdown or not. (Read more HERE)