Trump caves on the shutdown, threatens to go around Congress to get his wall
by Susan Ferrechio
| January 25, 2019 02:01 PM
President Trump on Friday agreed to temporarily end the government shutdown without any guarantee of more money for his border wall after the five-week funding lapse had started to significantly hobble government operations.
"We have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government," Trump said at the White House.
Trump said he could agree to reopen the shuttered parts of government through Feb. 15, a move that will let hundreds of thousands of federal workers finally get paid.
But Trump also hinted that if Congress can't pass legislation funding his border wall by the middle of next month, he would be forced to declare a national emergency at the border. That move would let Trump spend emergency funds to build parts of his wall, although it's also expected to draw a legal challenge.
"We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier," Trump said toward the end of his speech. "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. We will have great security."
Trump hinted at that option earlier in his speech as well.
"I have a very powerful alternative, but I did not want to use it at this time," Trump said. "Hopefully, it will be unnecessary."
Trump's announcement is expected to mobilize the House and Senate into quickly passing legislation to reopen the government through Feb. 15. Republicans and Democrats are also expected to hold a conference committee on a Department of Homeland Security spending bill, where lawmakers have agreed to find ways to boost border security.
That process isn't guaranteed to reach a decision to fund new sections of border wall, but Trump said he hoped lawmakers would see the need for new border wall. He also rejected Democratic complaints that a wall would be "medieval" and said the barrier he wants can be made of steel, not concrete.
"No border security plan can ever work without a physical barrier. Just doesn’t happen," Trump said.
"Over the next 21 days, I expect that both Democrats and Republicans will operate in good faith," he added. "This is an opportunity for all parties to work together for the benefit of our whole beautiful, wonderful nation."
The president's remarks came as Republicans were increasingly being blamed for the shutdown and the growing number of effects it was having on federal workers and the public.
Hours earlier, major airports began experiencing delays due to a high number of sick-out calls by air traffic controllers. Those controllers are among the 800,000 federal workers who are about to miss a second paycheck because of the shutdown.
Throughout the week, officials complained about the need for Coast Guardsmen to use food pantries to get by, that key FBI investigations were stalling, and tax refunds would be delayed.
The shutdown centered on funding for a southern border wall. Trump has demanded up to $5.7 billion in federal funds for a wall, but Democrats have not agreed to any money so far. And that fight prevented Congress from passing any bill to fund nine federal departments and dozens of independent agencies.
Trump this week was facing increasing pressure from Senate Republicans, who have become desperate to end the standoff. Republican lawmakers urged Vice President Mike Pence in a private meeting Thursday to find a way to end the spending impasse.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/trump-expected-to-call-for-temporary-deal-to-end-the-shutdown
