Democratic-Controlled House Passes Bill to End Government Shutdown

The House of Representatives passed a bill to end the partial government shutdown Thursday evening with the new Democratic majority, Bloomberg News reports. The bill would reopen the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 8 to let negotiations continue over funding for a wall along the southern border with Mexico, and fund eight other departments through September. However, the White House and Senate Republicans have reportedly made it clear that no such measure would gain their approval unless it contained funding for a border wall. Earlier Thursday, President Trump made a surprise visit to the White House briefing room and reiterated his strong stance on the issue. “Without a wall you cannot have border security,” Trump said. “It won’t work.” Leaders of both parties are set to meet with Trump at the White House Friday morning to continue negotiations in an attempt to end the shutdown.