Trump signs bill to end government shutdown after House and Senate vote to restore funding following McConnell's promise to take up DACA and immigration

  • The government shutdown will end after three day after Republicans and Democrats reached a deal on Monday
  • The House passed a Senate-passed resolution to restore funding 
  • In an olive branch to Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would seek to bring forward DACA legislation if Democrats switched sides
  • President Trump signed a short-term spending bill that will fund the government through February 8
  • Democrats showed their first sign of inching toward his position and relenting after an all-hands meeting where they agreed going along would be smart 
  • They changed course as Minority leader Chuck Schumer said he had cut a deal with McConnell – with no help from the White House
  • Deal calls for funding the government through February 8, and makes that date the deadline for Republicans to hold a vote to preserve DACA 
  • Final 81-18 vote included support from 33 Democrats; Republican Sen. John McCain was absent 
  • The White House says President Trump won't back any DACA deal that doesn't also resolve border security, chain migration and the diversity visa lottery 

The government shutdown has ended after President Donald Trump signed a short-term spending bill that will fund the government through February 8.

The three-day government shutdown came to an end Monday after the House passed a resolution to restore funding that had cleared the Senate hours earlier.

The deal passed the House easily, with nearly every Republican voting for it and about a third of House Democrats, following a breakthrough in the Senate.

The final vote was 266 to 150, effectively ending a three-day shutdown that furloughed workers and closed some government services, even as the Trump administration kept functions deemed vital running.

Fourteen House members didn't vote. 

The key development occurred across the Capitol Monday, after Senate Democrats accepted a deal to reopen the government, after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to take up immigration legislation – including a permanent fix for the controversial DACA program – in the next three weeks. 

The three-day government shutdown effectively came to an end Monday after the House passed a resolution to fund the government

The three-day government shutdown effectively came to an end Monday after the House passed a resolution to fund the government

The key to enactment came when McConnell and Minority Leader Sen. Charles Schumer came to an agreement for a debate on immigration within weeks.

'The Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement,' Schumer said on the Senate floor.

'It is a good solution, and I will vote for it,' he said. But Schumer did not obtain anything close to a guaranteed result.

The Senate bill had one final test, a fresh vote in the House of Representatives, but quick passage was expected over House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's objections.

'I refuse to be an enabler to the Republicans' failure any longer,' said Pelosi in a final and futile effort to stop the bill.

Eight-one senators including 33 Democrats voted to reopen the government on Monday folling a three-day standoff over immigration reform

Eight-one senators including 33 Democrats voted to reopen the government on Monday folling a three-day standoff over immigration reform

The final 81-18 tally was a far cry from the crashing failure of a similar measure on Friday that saw handfuls of Senators from both parties crossing the aisle but fell well short of the 60 votes needed for passage.

When the dust settled, 33 of the 49 Democrats had voted to turn the lights back on. Republican Sen. John McCain, ailing with brain cancer, was absent.

'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,' President Donald Trump said in a statement.

'The Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement,' Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor, signaling an end to the three-day government shutdown

'The Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement,' Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor, signaling an end to the three-day government shutdown

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that if Democrats agreed to end the shutdown, he would promise to take up immigration legislation by February 8

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that if Democrats agreed to end the shutdown, he would promise to take up immigration legislation by February 8

Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are standing their ground and show no sign of relenting in advance of a noontime vote 

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

Schumer, however, warned that 'the Republican majority now has 17 days to prevent the DREAMers from being deported.'

DACA, the program that protects millions of illegal immigrants from deportation because they were brought to the U.S. as minors, is the sticking point for Democrats who fear Republicans will reneg on any promise to save it before it expires in March.  

'If an agreement isn't reached by February 8, the Senate will immediately proceed to consideration of legislation dealing with DACA,' Schumer said, describing his understanding of the deal.

'While this procedure will not satisfy everyone on both sides, it's a way forward.'

But he blasted the White House for sitting on the sidelines as senators hashed out an agreement. 

'Despite all our entreaties, the president was obstinate,' he fumed. 

White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah said after the vote on CNN that President Trump won't accept an immigration deal that makes the DACA program permanent without giving him a host of other wins.

Shah mentioned 'the issue of border security, and a southern border wall, the issue of ending the visa lottery system, and reforming the chain migration – the extended family chain migration system.'

'Those are still the points and the contours of a deal that this president would be open to,' he said.

White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah said the White House won't accept an immigration bill that doesn't address border security, the diversity visa lottery and chain migration

White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah said the White House won't accept an immigration bill that doesn't address border security, the diversity visa lottery and chain migration

Monday's vote was eagerly awaited and hotly contested but ultimately even a majority of Democrats agreed to support the Republicans' proposal

Minutes before the lunchtime vote, Democrats emerged from a caucus meeting and word leaked that enough of them will vote with Republicans to push a short-term funding measure over the finish line.

'It was very positive. I think the government will be back open by 12:10 or 12:15,' West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said after the Democrats' all-hands meeting.

Democrats were looking for a way out of the shutdown, according to people in the room, despite the lack of any assurance of what might happens in the House of Representatives once the Senate ricochets the result to the south end of the U.S. Capitol.

'I'm encouraged by commitments Leader McConnell has made,' Democratic Sen. Chris Coons told reporters as he left the meeting room, adding that he was 'looking forward to the vote and I think it will be important that we take a step forward.' 

An end to the weekend stalemate looked unlikely just hours earlier in the upper chamber of Congress.

'It's like a circus without a tent,' Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana told reporters, describing the overall mood in the Senate.

McConnell said: 'I hope and intend that we can reach bipartisan solutions on issues such as military spending, immigration and border security, and disaster relief before this February 8 deadline.'

McConnell is presiding over a chaotic chamber where the typical comity has dissolved into open warfare over who is to blame for the shutdown

McConnell is presiding over a chaotic chamber where the typical comity has dissolved into open warfare over who is to blame for the shutdown

'Should these issues not be resolved by the time the funding bill before us expires on February 8, so long as the government remains open it – so long as it remains open – it would be my intention to take up legislation here in the Senate that would address DACA, border security, and related issues.'

Democrats moved quickly to frame Monday's result as a victory despite the widespread perception that they had caved.

'As recently as Friday night, Leader McConnell refused to commit to taking up the DREAM Act with any urgency,' Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner said in a statement. 

'Today, Republican leadership has finally agreed to bring bipartisan legislation to protect Dreamers to the floor in the next three weeks, and both parties – as well as the American public – will hold them to it.'

The White House was having none of it.

'The fact that they're voting in favor of this proposal that they rejected just a few days ago is, sort of, evidence that they blinked,' deputy press secretary Raj Shah said of the Democrats on CNN. 

Schumer claimed Sunday that he had offered Trump an authorization to build his border wall in exchange for passing a funding measure with a DACA fix attached, but that the president had refused.

'[He] can't take "yes" for an answer,' Schumer said on the Senate floor a day ago.

But White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney quickly called Schumer's offer a hollow one, saying that the 'authorization' has existed since 2006 – something that Schumer himself voted for – but the New York Democrat hadn't promised to go along with actually funding it.

Democrats showed no sign of budging on Monday but insisted they're not to blame for the government shutdown.  

'There's been a lot of positive progress made,' Michigan Democratic Sen. Stabenow told Politico. 'No one wants to shut down the government.'

Moderate Republican senators Lindsey Graham (left), Susan Collins (center) and Jeff Flake (right) said McConnell should have made a more ironclad pledge

Moderate Republican senators Lindsey Graham (left), Susan Collins (center) and Jeff Flake (right) said McConnell should have made a more ironclad pledge

The result, said Republican Sen. John Kennedy, is 'like a circus without a tent'; Kenned is pictured at the U.S. Capitol on Friday

The result, said Republican Sen. John Kennedy, is 'like a circus without a tent'; Kenned is pictured at the U.S. Capitol on Friday

She wouldn't commit to voting 'yes,' however, despite facing a tough re-election fight this year in a state the Trump won handily in 2016.

Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, another endangered Democrat representing a deep-red state, initially said he was likely to take McConnell at his word. 

'I believe a man's word is his bond, so I'm going to take McConnell the same way,' he said. In addition to a pledge to work on immigration, Tester wants a commitment to fund community health centers.

But ultimately, Tester voted 'no.' 

McConnell said Monday that 'the Senate cannot make progress on any of these crucial matters until the government is re-opened. We need to move forward. The first step is ending this shutdown.'

Talking to reporters after McConnell's speech, Republican Sen. Susan Collins said the majority leader should have made a stronger, more iron-clad promise.

HOW THE SHUTDOWN IS IMPACTING GOVERNMENT SITES

 What's Closed 

The Library of Congress

Capitol Visitor Center

The Liberty Bell  

Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church - the King Center will remain open

Ford's Theatre and Museum - theater performances continue

Cabrillo National Monument 

National Park Services in Boston 

NASA - no tours  

What's Open

The Post Office 

The Grand Canyon - Gov. Doug Ducey keeping the monument open with state funds 

The Statue of Liberty - Gov. Andrew Cuomo reopening the monument with state funds  

Smithsonian facilities 

Mount Rushmore - some National Park Services facilities closed, but restrooms and concession stands open

Yellowstone National Park - but with limited services 

Mount Rushmore - including concessions 

Alcatraz 

Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum 

Flight 93 Memorial - grounds are open, concessions are closed  

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'I think it would be helpful if the language were a little bit stronger because the tensions are so high,' Collins said, although she added that Schumer should give McConnell credit for 'moving on the DACA issue.'

'In the end it's going to be up to the two leaders, and I hope that they can come together,' she said. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham, too, urged McConnell to use stronger language committing to an immigration vote.

And he called on Democrats to push the top Republican for a more ironclad promise.

'I can't believe I'm saying this but Rand Paul is right,' he quipped.

Graham said he hopes the government reopens by the end of the day. 'If it doesn't, I just don't know where we go from here,' he added.

Graham voted against Friday's funding measure whose failure led to the shutdown. Collins voted in favor of it.

Both supported Monday's measure. 'Today we've taken a significant step forward,' Collins said after the roll call.

President Donald Trump said Monday that Democrats 'are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens' as they demand a DACA fix in exchange for government funding

President Donald Trump said Monday that Democrats 'are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens' as they demand a DACA fix in exchange for government funding

President Trump lashed out at congressional Democrats on Monday morning for refusing to vote in favor of a funding reboot.

Republicans, who hold 51 Senate seats, need at least nine Democrats to join them in order to pass a 60-vote threshold for a short-term budget measure.

Meanwhile, some military and other national security funding is on hold – along with federal spending on social welfare programs like community health centers and children's medical insurance. 

'The Democrats are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens. Not good!' Trump tweeted Monday morning. 

He also suggested that Senate liberals are pulling the strings of centrists who might be leaning toward ending the shutdown.

'Democrats have shut down our government in the interests of their far left base. They don’t want to do it but are powerless!' he added in a second tweet. 

Republicans and Democrats remain at loggerheads and have been unable to strike a deal to fund the government, extending Friday's shutdown to a third day – and into an uncertain workweek for federal employees. 

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Democrats, who hold enough votes to block a compromise, must 'stop playing games and come to the table and get serious'

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Democrats, who hold enough votes to block a compromise, must 'stop playing games and come to the table and get serious'

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer assigned blame for the government shutdown to President Trump

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer assigned blame for the government shutdown to President Trump

The lack of a deal meant hundreds of thousands of public sector workers could not show up for work on Monday.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders blasted Democrats Monday on 'Good Morning America,' saying that they're 'playing political games' while soldiers go unpaid and children's health programs are left in the lurch. 

'Democrats support everything in this piece of legislation. The fact that they won't simply vote for it, to re-open our government, fund our military, protect the most vulnerable children, is mind-boggling, I think, to everyone across this country,' Sanders said.

'I hope that Democrats will stop playing games and come to the table and get serious about what they were elected to come here and do.'

She insisted that the White House stands ready to negotiate on immigration policy – the Democrats' chief hang-up – as soon as the government is reopened.

'Open the government, then we'll resume negotiations,' House Speaker Paul Ryan said Monday morning. 'It's just that clear, it's just that simple'

'Open the government, then we'll resume negotiations,' House Speaker Paul Ryan said Monday morning. 'It's just that clear, it's just that simple'

White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney said Monday morning that 'the government should be open. We should not, however, be negotiating over a non-financial issue, the DACA issue, as part of keeping the government open'

White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney said Monday morning that 'the government should be open. We should not, however, be negotiating over a non-financial issue, the DACA issue, as part of keeping the government open'

House Speaker Paul Ryan, whose chamber passed a government funding measure on Thursday, said on 'Fox & Friends' that Democrats are wrong to hold the government 'hostage.'

'Open the government. Then we'll resume negotiations. It's just that clear. It's just that simple,' he said.

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said on 'CBS This Morning' that no one at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue wanted to see the government's wheels grind to a halt.

'Everyone admits and acknowledges the president did not want this shutdown [and] actively worked to prevent the shutdown,' Mulvaney said.

He also objected to Democrats holding the budget hostage to a permanent DADA solution.

'The government should be open. We should not, however, be negotiating over a non-financial issue, the DACA issue, as part of keeping the government open,' Mulvaney declared.

In his tweet on Sunday, Trump said, 'The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked.'

Trump's presidential campaign also put out a video that called Democrats 'complicit in all murders' committed by undocumented immigrants.  Late Sunday afternoon, his campaign put out a fundraising email again calling the Democrats 'COMPLICIT.' 

WHITE HOUSE VOICEMAIL BLAMES DEMOCRATS FOR SHUTDOWN

Americans trying to call the public comments line at the White House cannot get through because of the government shutdown.

But the Trump administration has changed the voicemail message callers receive when they dial the number.

Anyone calling 202-456-1111 gets the following message:

'Thank you for calling the White House. Unfortunately, we cannot answer your call today because congressional Democrats are holding government funding—including funding for our troops and other national security priorities—hostage to an unrelated immigration debate.

'Due to this obstruction, the government is shut down. In the meantime, you can leave a comment for the president at www.whitehouse.gov/contact.

'We look forward to taking your calls as soon as the government reopens.'

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White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also put out a statement whacking Schumer late Sunday afternoon, suggesting he wasn't being honest about what happened at Friday's White House meeting.  

'Sen. Schumer's memory is hazy because his account of Friday's meeting is false,' Huckabee Sanders said in a statement given to reporters. 'And the president's position is clear: we will not negotiate on the status of unlawful immigrants while Sen. Schumer and the Democrats hold the government for millions of Americans and our troops hostage.' 

The White House has since changed its voicemail message noting that the government has shut down. 

Anyone calling 202-456-1111 to leave a message with the White House hears a recorded message saying that 'unfortunately we cannot answer your call today because congressional Democrats are holding government funding – including funding for our troops and other national security priorities– hostage to an unrelated immigration debate.'

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: WHAT'S CLOSED? WHO IS AFFECTED?

The federal government shutdown only partially curbs operations. But the longer the shutdown continues, the more likely its impact will be felt.

U.S. troops will stay at their posts and mail will get delivered, but almost half of the 2 million civilian federal workers will be barred from doing their jobs if the shutdown extends into Monday.

How key parts of the federal government would be affected by a shutdown:

A general view of The United States Capitol is seen in Washington Friday as the shutdown begins

A general view of The United States Capitol is seen in Washington Friday as the shutdown begins

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

A shutdown plan posted on the Treasury Department's website shows that nearly 44 percent of the IRS' 80,565 employees will be exempt from being furloughed during a shutdown. That would mean nearly 45,500 IRS employees will be sent home just as the agency is preparing for the start of the tax filing season and ingesting the sweeping changes made by the new GOP tax law.

The Republican architects of the tax law have promised that millions of working Americans will see heftier paychecks next month, with less money withheld by employers in anticipation of lower income taxes. The IRS recently issued new withholding tables for employers.

But Marcus Owens, who for 10 years headed the IRS division dealing with charities and political organizations, said it's a 'virtual certainty' that the larger paychecks will be delayed if there's a lengthy government shutdown.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Half of the more than 80,000 employees will be sent home. Key programs will continue to function because their funding has ongoing authorization and doesn't depend on annual approval by Congress. But critical disruptions could occur across the vast jurisdiction of HHS programs — including the seasonal flu program.

Medicare, which insures nearly 59 million seniors and disabled people, will keep going. And so will Medicaid, which covers more than 74 million low-income and disabled people, including most nursing home residents.

States will continue to receive payments for the Children's Health Insurance Program, which covers about 9 million kids. However, long-term funding for the program will run out soon unless Congress acts to renew it.

Deep into a tough flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be unable to support the government's annual seasonal flu program. And CDC's ability to respond to disease outbreaks will be significantly reduced.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Many of the nearly 115,000 Justice Department employees have national security and public safety responsibilities that allow them to keep working during a shutdown. Special counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating Russian meddling in the presidential election will also continue working. His office is paid for indefinitely.

The more than 95,000 employees who are 'exempted' include most of the members of the national security division, U.S. attorneys, and most of the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service and federal prison employees. Criminal cases will continue, but civil cases will be postponed as long as doing so doesn't compromise public safety. Most law enforcement training will be canceled, per the department's contingency plan.

A United States Capitol Police Officer sets up police tape and gates on the plaza of the The United States Capitol Building Friday

A United States Capitol Police Officer sets up police tape and gates on the plaza of the The United States Capitol Building Friday

STATE DEPARTMENT

Many State Department operations will continue in a shutdown. Passport and visa processing, which are largely self-funded by consumer fees, will not shut down. The agency's main headquarters in Washington, in consultation with the nearly 300 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions around the world, will draw up lists of nonessential employees who will be furloughed.

Department operations will continue through the weekend and staffers will be instructed to report for work as usual on Monday to find out whether they have been furloughed.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT

The U.S. military will continue to fight wars and conduct missions around the world, including in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. And members of the military will report to work, though they won't get paid until Congress approves funding.

But Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned Friday that a shutdown will have far-reaching effects.

'Our maintenance activities will probably pretty much shut down,' he said during remarks at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. 'We do a lot of intelligence operations around the world, and they cost money. Those, obviously, would stop. And I would just tell you that training for almost our entire reserve force will stop.'

And, while ships will remain at sea and airstrikes against enemy fighters will continue, any National Guard forces heading out to do weekend training duty around the country will arrive at armories and be told to go home.

US INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES

The workforce at the 17 U.S. intelligence agencies will be pared down significantly, according to a person familiar with contingency procedures.

The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, said employees who are considered essential and have to work will do so with no expectation of a regular paycheck.

While they can be kept on the job, federal workers can't be paid for days worked during a shutdown. In the past, however, they have been paid retroactively even if they were ordered to stay home.

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT

A department spokesman said nearly 90 percent of Homeland Security employees are considered essential and will continue to perform their duties during a government shutdown.

That means most Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration workers will stay on the job, according to the department's shutdown plan, dated Friday.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be staffed at about 78 percent, meaning more than 15,000 of the agency's employees will keep working. The Secret Service, also part of Homeland Security, will retain more than 5,700 employees during the shutdown.  

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT

The Interior Department says national parks and other public lands will remain as accessible as possible. That position is a change from previous shutdowns, when most parks were closed and became high-profile symbols of dysfunction.

Spokeswoman Heather Swift said the American public — especially veterans who come to the nation's capital — should find war memorials and open-air parks available to visitors. Swift said many national parks and wildlife refuges nationwide will also be open with limited access when possible.

She said public roads that already are open are likely to remain open, though services that require staffing and maintenance such as campgrounds, full-service restrooms and concessions won't be operating. Backcountry lands and culturally sensitive sites are likely to be restricted or closed, she said.

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

More than half — 34,600 — of the Department of Transportation's 55,100 employees will continue working during a shutdown. The bulk of those staying on the job work for the Federal Aviation Administration, which operates the nation's air traffic control system.

Controllers and aviation, pipeline and railroad safety inspectors are among those who would continue to work.

But certification of new aircraft will be limited, and processing of airport construction grants, training of new controllers, registration of planes, air traffic control modernization research and development, and issuance of new pilot licenses and medical certificates will stop.

At the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, investigations on auto safety defects will be suspended, incoming information on possible defects from manufacturers and consumers won't be reviewed and compliance testing of vehicles and equipment will be delayed.

The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, whose operations are mostly paid for out of the Federal Highway Trust Fund, will continue most of their functions. The fund's revenue comes from federal gas and diesel taxes, which will continue to be collected. But work on issuing new regulations will stop throughout the department and its nine agencies.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the agency's infectious disease chief, said a government shutdown will be disruptive to research and morale at the National Institutes of Health but will not adversely affect patients already in medical studies.

'We still take care of them,' he said of current NIH patients. But other types of research would be seriously harmed, Fauci said.

A shutdown could mean interrupting research that's been going on for years, Fauci said. The NIH is the government's primary agency responsible for biomedical and public health research across 27 institutes and centers. Its research ranges from cancer studies to the testing and creation of vaccines.

'You can't push the pause button on an experiment,' he said.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has instructed workers there to come to work next week even with a shutdown. Pruitt said in an email to all EPA employees on Friday that the agency had 'sufficient resources to remain open for a limited amount of time.' He said further instructions would come if the shutdown lasts for more than a week.

The instructions from Pruitt are different from how the agency has operated during prior shutdowns and the contingency plan posted on EPA's website. A spokesman for the agency said earlier on Friday that the December 2017 plan was no longer valid. 

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NPS closes most national parks during government shutdowns. The agency controls 417 different 'units' from American Samoa to Maine. Of these 417 'units', 59 are national parks.

State parks and trails in certain national parks still remain open during government shutdowns. 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that he would use state funds to keep the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - together comprising the Statue of Liberty National Monument - open. The National Park Service announced that both New York sites would be closed Saturday 'due to a lapse in appropriations'. 

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said Grand Canyon National Park would continue full operations despite the shutdown.

'If Washington, D.C., won’t function, Arizona will,' Ducey said in a statement.