Reprieve From Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump announced today that he and members of congress have reached a deal to reopen the government for three weeks while lawmakers work on a deal for immigration. Amid threats to allow funding to lapse again, or to bypass congress completely via executive order, both chambers of congress did pass the legislation, and have sent it to Trump for approval.

From the White House Rose Garden, President Trump explained, "We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier, if we don't get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on Feb. 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."

Oregon Congresswoman (First District), Suzanne Bonamici, had this to say;

“I am relieved that dedicated federal employees can finally get paid, It is entirely unacceptable that the shutdown went on for so long. I heard from many Oregonians who faced financial challenges, eviction, and hunger as a result of the Trump shutdown. Despite these hardships, many federal employees continued to protect our country without pay.

“President Trump owes these families an apology. He could have signed this bill in December. Instead, he needlessly inflicted pain on hundreds of thousands of federal employees and their families.

“I have supported and will continue to support effective border security solutions. Once the government is officially reopened, we can immediately begin bipartisan discussions about effective ways we can secure our border, including resources for surveillance and scanning, strengthening port of entry infrastructure, and filling the thousands of customs personnel vacancies.

“My thoughts are with the federal employees who now (are) able to pay their bills and try to get back to normal. But we face another funding deadline in three weeks, and absolutely cannot allow President Trump to govern by crisis and inflict more pain on these families by shutting down the government again. I will do everything I can to make sure that does not happen.”