Trump Announces 3-Week Deal to End Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House, Friday, Jan 25, 2019, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP)

By    |   Friday, 25 January 2019 02:49 PM EST ET

President Donald Trump, stressing the need for a border wall as a vital part of national border security, Friday afternoon announced a deal to end the 36-day long government shutdown and to reopen the federal government without funding for that wall.

"As everyone knows, I have a very powerful alternative, but I didn't want to use it at this time," the president said during a Rose Garden appearance, where he also thanked federal workers and their families who have shown "extraordinary devotion" in the face of the shutdown.

Trump said he will sign, "in a short while" a bill that will reopen the government until Feb. 15, and that he will make sure employees receive their back pay "very quickly or as soon as possible."

The bill will happen fast, said Trump, as he is asking Senate Majority Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to put the bill on the floor immediately.

And if an agreement is not reached by Feb. 15, Trump said there will either be another shutdown or he will use the "powers afforded to me" to enact an executive agreement on the border wall.

"I have seen and heard from enough Democrats and Republicans that they are willing to put partisanship aside," said Trump. "They have said they are for complete border security, and they are finally and fully acknowledged that having barriers, fencing, or walls or whatever you want to call it, will be an important part of the solution."

In addition, a bipartisan conference committee comprised of both members of the House and Senate will begin reviewing requests of Homeland Security experts, law enforcement, Border Patrol and ICE to work on a plan for border security, Trump said, and they will devise a package for him to sign into law.

"Over the next 21 days, I expect Democrats and Republicans will operate in good faith," said Trump. "This is an opportunity for all parties to work together for the benefit of our whole beautiful, wonderful nation. If we make a fair deal, the American people will be proud of their government for proving that we can put country before party."

Meanwhile, walls should not be controversial, said Trump.

"Our country has built 654 miles of barrier over the last 15 years and every career Border Patrol agent I have spoken with has told me that walls work," said Trump. "They keep criminals out. They save good people from attempting a very dangerous journey from other countries."

The new walls won't be "medieval" walls, but instead will be "smart walls" that will have see-through visibility and will be equipped with technology to detect activity coming over the border, said Trump.

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Politics
President Donald Trump, stressing the need for a border wall as a vital part of national border security, Friday afternoon announced a deal to end the 36-day long government shutdown and to reopen the federal government without funding for that wall.
government shutdown, border wall
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2019-49-25
Friday, 25 January 2019 02:49 PM
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