Federal employees, who were on furlough on Monday, returned to work on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump said, on Monday, that he would make a long-term deal on immigration only if it is beneficial for the country.
“We’ll make a long-term deal on immigration, if and only if it is good for the country,” Trump said, according to a statement read to reporters by White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.
The statement came soon after the Senate arrived at a consensus to end the government shutdown. The House and Senate voted in favor of a bill allowing the government to enough funds for the next 17 days.
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The crisis started last Friday when the Senate failed to arrive at a consensus on allowing funds for the government’s functioning. The Democrats demanded the inclusion of a provision for the protection of young undocumented immigrants, known as “Dreamers” under the legislation. But the Republicans were not willing to negotiate on immigration.
The crisis ended after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reached a deal on immigration issues. McConnell agreed to bring DACA, a key Democratic issue, and other immigration issues up for debate before February 8.
Earlier the Democrats had demanded to fix the DACA issue before passing the bill.
Announcing the agreement with McConnell, Schumer said on the Senate floor that “We will vote today to reopen the government.”
“I respect the passion that many of my friends in this chamber, Democrat and Republican alike bring to the major issue before the Senate, all of these issues,” McConnell said. “But we should not let the political feuds or policy disagreements obscure the simple fact that every member of this body cares deeply about the challenges facing our country.”
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Federal employees, who were on furlough on Monday, returned to work on Tuesday.
“I am pleased that Democrats in Congress have come to their senses and are now willing to fund our great military, border patrol, first responders, and insurance for vulnerable children,” Trump said in the statement.
“As I have always said, once the government is funded, my administration will work toward solving the problem of very unfair illegal immigration,” he said. “We will make a long-term deal on immigration if, and only if, it is good for our country.”