Trump’s retreat: Shutdown ends without wall money, for now

Submitting to mounting pressure amid growing disruption, President Donald Trump agreed to a deal Friday to reopen the government for three weeks, backing down from his demand that Congress give him money for his border wall before federal agencies get back to work.

The measure funds the government for three weeks, until Feb. 15, while lawmakers try to reach a wider deal on immigration. Both the House and Senate passed the plan by voice vote on Friday.

“This was in no way a concession,” the president wrote in a tweet. “It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!”

Trump had demanded $5.7 billion to build his border wall before he agreed to end the partial closure — but relented on Friday. Congress will set up a bipartisan, bicameral conference committee to try to strike a deal on border security.

About 800,000 federal workers started to miss their second paychecks Friday since funding lapsed last month. Many had to scramble to cover meals and bills during the closure. If the plan becomes law, they are expected to get back pay in four to five days, an administration official told CNBC on Friday.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., echoed Schumer after the House approved the funding measure Friday.

“I hope the experience of the last 35 days has taught us that we should never repeat this exercise of shutting down government again,” he said.