Democrats still pushing for debate over illegal immigrants
ADVERTISEMENTCongress has ended a three-day US government shutdown, after Republicans and Democrats voted for a temporary funding bill.
The Democratic leadership agreed to back the legislation after accepting promises from Republicans for a debate later on the future of young illegal immigrants.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi was not giving up:
"Today we end the Trump shutdown, but it does not diminish our leverage, or our determination on the Democratic side to meet the needs of the American people. Democrats are united in their determination to get the job done."
The so-called continuing resolution keeps the government funded until February 8 in the hope that Congress can eventually reach a longer-term budget agreement.
US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan:
"This is not a moment to pat ourselves on the back, not even close. We very much need to heed the lessons of what just happened here. We need to move forward in good faith. Yes, on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and immigration. Yes, on funding our military so that it gets the resources that our military so badly needs. Let's address these urgent challenges."
The White House said closed government offices could be up and running within hours now President Trump has signed the bill.
He's been highly critical of Democrats who are seeking a deal to protect young immigrants brought to the US as children.
They were shielded by what's known as the DACA programme but which Trump halted last year. He's given lawmakers until early March to pass legislation restoring the protections, but he's demanded added money for his proposed border wall with Mexico as the price.