President Trump signed a bill late Friday to end the partial government shutdown, the longest in the nation’s history.
About 800,000 federal government workers had been furloughed or were working without pay during the 35-day partial federal government shutdown.
The bill funds the government until Feb. 15 and allows for government employees to receive back pay for the last month. It does not include funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, which Trump made a central part of his 2016 presidential campaign.
After a five-week impasse over funding for the wall, Trump backed down Friday, agreeing to reopen the government temporarily if Congress passed the legislation. The House and Senate quickly passed the legislation on voice votes, sending it to Trump Friday night.
Trump has denied he conceded to Democrats over border wall funding.
“This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!” he wrote.
I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2019
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump will move forward with building a wall in three weeks, whether Democrats want to make a deal or not.
In 21 days President @realDonaldTrump is moving forward building the wall with or without the Democrats. The only outstanding question is whether the Democrats want something or nothing https://t.co/dMaDfBOIuT
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 26, 2019
