Trump, congress agree to open government for 3 weeks

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – U.S. President Donald Trump and congressional leaders agreed Friday to reopen the government for three weeks without providing the president with $5.7 billion he has been seeking for a border wall with Mexico.

Trump announced the deal at the White House, saying it is a bid to allow time for negotiations to take place on the funding he is seeking and which Democrats continue to oppose.

The funding will run through Feb. 15 -- 21 days from now -- at which point Trump said if he does not get the funds he is seeking the government will either shut down or he will use emergency powers to build his wall.

Massive flight delays were reported Friday prompted by staff shortages of unpaid employees who called out sick on day 35 of the government shutdown, having missed a second paycheck this month.