CHARLESTON, W.Va. — President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress agreed Friday to a three-week deal to fully open the federal government after five weeks of a partial shutdown
The deal funds the government through Feb. 15 as lawmakers negotiate a plan involving immigration and border security. Friday’s actions did not include funding for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Senate passed by voice vote the continuing resolution as well as a measure to go to a conference regarding Homeland Security funding. The House of Representatives approved of the measures hours later.
Friday marked the 35th day of the partial government shutdown and the second time federal employees missed their paychecks. Around 800,000 workers have been on furlough or working without pay since the shutdown began Dec. 22.
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said lawmakers need to work together to reach a compromise.
“While it sounds like a steep mountain, I embrace this,” she said. “I embrace the ability to play a role, to find a reasonable solution that we’ve been granted until Feb. 15 to work this out.”
Capito, the chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, will serve on the conference committee to reach a deal.
“We can’t lose sight than homeland security is more about one structure or one placement of a structure,” she said. “It’s about a full-out array of ways at looking at protecting our country internally, in our transportation sector, in our energy sectors and others.”
Capito will serve on the conference committee with Republicans Richard Shelby of Alabama, John Hoeven of North Dakota and Roy Blunt of Missouri, as well as Democrats Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Dick Durbin of Illinois and John Tester of Montana. Tester is the ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.
The Senate rejected two measures to reopen the government on Thursday; only one plan included funding for a southern border wall. Capito supported the proposal with wall funding.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who voted for both measures on Thursday, said he looks forward to working on a bipartisan solution.
“I’m glad the government is finally reopening. This politically-motivated and extremely hurtful shutdown has harmed millions of Americans and West Virginians,” he said in a statement.
Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., said while not a finalized deal, Friday’s actions were steps forward.
“Democrats have said they are willing to negotiate once the government is open, and we look forward to seeing if they keep their word,” he said.
“Finally, I would thank the employees who have worked without pay, and who have suffered the most from this shutdown.”
Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., applauded Trump for his efforts regarding the three-week plan.
“Once again, our President has displayed tremendous leadership by negotiating a bipartisan deal that will allow all of our government workers to receive their much-needed paychecks, while also continuing to bring attention to the intensifying crisis on the southern border,” she said. “Through all of this, we must remember, that now is the time to reform our broken immigration system once and for all. By funding the government through February 15th, we now have the ability to show the world that we can put politics aside and create common-sense border security solutions that will lead to a safer and stronger America.”