The Federal Government is Open For Business… For Three Weeks Anyway

After failing to reach an agreement on Friday regarding immigration and border security, assurance from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to negotiate an immigration deal encouraged the Democrats to vote on a new spending bill that will end the government shutdown.

That effort broke the impasse and the measure breezed through the House and was later signed into law by President Trump.

That sets up a showdown over the DACA immigration law with a February 8 deadline already looming.

Big win for Republicans as Democrats cave on Shutdown. Now I want a big win for everyone, including Republicans, Democrats and DACA, but especially for our Great Military and Border Security. Should be able to get there. See you at the negotiating table!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 23, 2018

The senators voted 81-18 on Monday to pass a spending bill that would fund the government through February 8. The bill will also extend the funding of the low-income children’s health insurance program, CHIP, for six years, as well as suspend some taxes under the Affordable Care Act.

“I am pleased that Democrats in Congress have come to their senses,” says Trump in a statement that was read from the briefing room podium by his press secretary Sarah Sanders. “[The Democrats] are now willing to fund our great military, border patrol, first responders and insurance for vulnerable children.”

“As I have always said, once the government is funded my administration will work toward solving the problem of very unfair illegal immigration,” the statement continued. “We will make a long-term deal on immigration if and only if it is good for our country.”

There is still a lot of work to be done. In the next three weeks, Senate leaders plan to address the illegal immigration issue and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It is not clear at this point in time whether a few weeks of immigration negotiations will resolve the congressional debate.

With the House passing the stopgap spending bill, it is now up to President Trump to sign the measure into law by Monday evening.