By: Laura Widener
President Trump has made an announcement revealing a deal that was reached to temporarily end the 36-day partial government shutdown — the longest in history.
During the announcement, President Trump announced a continuing resolution that will fund the government for three weeks until Feb. 15 without border wall funding.
“As everyone knows, I have a very powerful alternative, but I didn’t want to use it at this time. Hopefully it will be unnecessary,” he said of his executive power to declare a national emergency.
Trump said he has asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “to put this proposal on the floor immediately” and swiftly sign the resolution.
He said he is confident that Democrats and Republicans can “put partisanship aside and put the security of the American people first.”
“Let me be very clear. We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier,” Trump said. “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. We will have great security.”
He praised federal workers who have struggled without payment through the shutdown for the past month and vowed that they will receive their backpay soon.
“I will make sure that all employees receive their back pay very quickly, or as soon as possible,” he said.
He also discussed the efficacy of border walls, citing the security afforded by Israel’s wall, and the ability of walls to keep out crime and drugs. “It’s just common sense. Walls work,” he said.
“The walls we are building are not medieval walls. They are smart walls designed to meet the needs of front-line border agents, and are operationally effective.”
