US Government Shutdown: Longest shutdown in US history ends

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Europe

02:47

A 35-day government shutdown will finally come to an end in the US, after both Houses voted to temporarily fund federal agencies until February 15th. President Trump said he will sign the legislation, which does not include funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border. During the next three weeks, Congress and Trump will negotiate a deal on border security.

When it came to ending the political standoff over the partial government shutdown, U.S. President Donald Trump read the writing on the wall. He realized this was a fight he wasn't going to win.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "I will sign a bill to open our government for three weeks until February 15th."

While Trump's announcement is widely viewed as his caving in to demands to get the U.S. government up and running again - he is NOT giving up his promise of building a wall along the U.S. southern border.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "I have seen and heard from enough Democrats and Republicans that they are willing to put partisanship aside. I think and put the security of American people first."

Democratic leaders are relishing the victory.

NANCY PELOSI HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER "Disagreements in policy should never be a reason to shut down government. It really shouldn't, for a period of time that has an impact on paychecks."

Trump has repeatedly demanded 5.7 billion dollars to build a wall dividing the United States from Mexico.

He floated the idea of temporarily reopening the government for a "down payment" on the wall. But the short-term deal doesn't provide a penny for the barrier.

Some 800-thousand U.S. government workers went without paychecks during the longest government shutdown in American history.

The strain was felt at airports -- Long security lines, stress among air traffic controllers. And, now relief.

The head of the union for flight attendants issued a statement, saying "It is wonderful news that there is a deal to end this senseless shutdown, and the lockout of nearly a million Americans from their jobs or their paychecks. This never should have happened and it must never happen again."

But it may very well happen again. Congressional Democrats remain galvanized and vow to not approve billions for a wall.

If he doesn't get what he wants in the next three weeks, Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency along the U.S. border with Mexico.

SEAN CALLEBS WASHINGTON "The move would allow Trump to use emergency funds to build a barrier. But, such an action is almost guaranteed to draw a legal challenge. SEAN CALLEBS, CGTN, WASHINGTON."