USA – A deal has been made to reopen the government for 3 weeks February 15th for negotiations. “I have a very powerful alternative I didn’t want to use at this time,” said President Trump. “All employees will return backpay quickly. I have seen from many Republicans and Democrats will put bipartisanship aside and negotiate this deal in good faith. I believe both sides do understand that the need for barriers, fences, or wall whatever you want to call it is needed.”
According to to President Trump parties have promised to listen to experts in the field of border security for this package. They will immediately start a “homeland security package” that President Trump expects to sign into law within this time. “This is a opportunity for both parties to work together in good faith for all people of the United States. If we make a fair deal it will show America we can work together.”
According to Trump walls keep drugs out, Human Traffickers out, and keep good people from making a dangerous trip that can be unsuccessful and deadly. Trump described his walls as being see through in areas, made of steel, full of high technology with scanners, cameras and high tech Drones. Trump claimed Human Trafficking is worse than ever has been in the history of the world, “This is not a USA problem this is a world problem.”
Ohio’s U.S. Senator Portman said,“I support the approach the President has outlined. For the last several weeks, I have worked with both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate along with the Administration to reopen the government and address the President’s request for additional border security measures. I’ve had countless discussions with many Democrats in the Senate and I believe there is a commitment to give the President’s request fair consideration. On the Republican side, I know there is a commitment to joining with Democrats to address important issues like DACA and TPS.
“The announcement today is consistent with the letter that a group of Republicans and Democrats agreed on last week that outlined a process for reopening the government in the short term with the commitment to a border security plan that can be enacted in the next few weeks.
“I’ve said repeatedly throughout this process that government shutdowns are a bad idea. They hurt federal employees and their families, disrupt critical government services and increase the cost to taxpayers. This shutdown confirmed what we already knew about shutdowns. Let’s do something about it now while the pain and inefficiency of this moment is fresh on our minds. In five Congresses I have introduced a responsible solution called the End Government Shutdowns Act that would stop government shutdowns for good, and I will strongly push for its inclusion in any final government funding bill over the next few weeks. We already have 18 cosponsors of the legislation.
“In the coming days and weeks, I will continue to work with my colleagues on a responsible plan to fund our government, improve our border security, and prevent these inexcusable shutdowns in the future.”
BACKGROUND ON HOW SENATOR PORTMAN HAS WORKED TO END THE SHUTDOWN
· Since the beginning of the 116th Congress, Rob has spent most of his time in Washington, D.C., even when the Senate has not been in session, working with his colleagues to find a solution to the partial government shutdown.
· On January 11, Rob led the introduction of two pieces of legislation: one to enhance border security while codifying DACA protections, and the other to permanently end government shutdowns. Rob believed these bills could serve as a starting point for negotiations to find a fair and reasonable way to move forward. This was the fifth time Rob has introduced the legislation to permanently prevent government shutdowns. If Congress had enacted Rob’s End Government Shutdowns Act in any of the previous years, this shutdown never would have happened in the first place.
· Rob has been working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, whether through meetings or phone calls, including Senators Lindsey Graham, Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), among others. For example, Rob hosted a meeting many of his colleagues attended on Wednesday, January 23.
· Rob was a part of the more than a dozen bipartisan Senators that drafted a letter to President Trump asking for a three week CR while they moved a border security legislative package through the Senate through regular order. The bipartisan plan announced today is consistent with the plan proposed in this letter.
· Rob has also been in regular contact with Vice President Pence, Jared Kushner, and Mick Mulvaney as he’s tried to facilitate a solution to this impasse. Just this week, he’s spoken to all of them as part of his efforts to resolve this matter.
