President Donald Trump announced on Friday the latest proposal to end the longest US government shutdown in history.
Trump said he would sign a bill that would reopen the government for three weeks until Feb. 15. The deal does not include the $5.7 billion he had demanded for his coveted border wall.
Trump also hinted that if Congress can't pass legislation funding the 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.
The president also thanked the 800,000 federal workers who endured the shutdown, insisting that most supported his position on border security, and said that they would be given back pay quickly.
The proposed deal came as intensifying delays at the nation’s airports and widespread disruptions brought new urgency to efforts to resolve the impasse.
While Trump is placing his plans carefully, Thousands of federal workers are living within critical conditions and without paychecks.
