Statement by Congressman Dan Kildee on Trump Announcement to Reopen Government

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement after President Trump agreed to a short-term budget bill to reopen the government:

"I've seen a lot of Presidents take a victory lap before. But this is the first time I've seen a President go to the Rose Garden and take a defeat lap.

"I am glad that the President will finally end this manufactured crisis that he himself created over a month ago. This government shutdown has inflicted so much pain on working families and our country's economy, suffering that will live on long after the government is reopened. This was a completely manufactured crisis that should have never happened in the first place. Shutting down government should never be a negotiating tactic. Not then, not three weeks from now, not ever.

"I support effective border security that keeps Americans safe. Democrats are ready to sit down and negotiate with the President on effective border measures that fix our broken immigration system. But we must never shut down the government—which hurts so many workers and our economy—over policy disagreements."