(BIVN) – The partial shutdown of the federal government is ending, for now.

Today from the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump announced a deal has been reached to re-open the federal government. 

“In a short while, I will sign a bill to open our government for three weeks until February 15th,” Trump declared. “I will make sure that all employees receive their back pay very quickly, or as soon as possible.  It’ll happen fast.  I am asking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to put this proposal on the floor immediately.”

“Today’s announcement is a welcome, albeit temporary, end to this unnecessary, unconscionable Trump shutdown,” said U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), in a response to Trump’s announcement. 

Sen. Hirono said that during the record-long shutdown, “Donald Trump took hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors, and indeed the entire country, hostage – all because of his obsession with building his vanity wall. It was telling that even in announcing an end to the shutdown, Donald Trump resorted to lies and distortions to justify his vanity wall in anticipation of negotiations over the next three weeks.”

“After 36 days of spirited debate and dialogue,” President Trump said in his Rose Garden speech, “I have seen and heard from enough Democrats and Republicans that they are willing to put partisanship aside — I think — and put the security of the American people first.  I do believe they’re going to do that.  They have said they are for complete border security, and they have finally and fully acknowledged that having barriers, fencing, or walls — or whatever you want to call it — will be an important part of the solution.”

“Over the next 21 days, I expect that both Democrats and Republicans will operate in good faith.  This is an opportunity for all parties to work together for the benefit of our whole beautiful, wonderful nation,” Trump said.

“While the debate continues on border security, we need to pass a bill to fully fund all government operations through the end of the fiscal year. Come February 15^th, there cannot be another government shutdown,” said Sen. Hirono. “Donald Trump has proven time and again that his word is no good and he changes his mind on a whim. It’s up to Congress to step up to its responsibility as a separate branch of government, do its job, and keep the government open.”

The shutdown comes just as hundreds of thousands of federal employees were about to miss their second paycheck.

“I want to express my sympathy and my solidarity with all of the workers in Hawai‘i who had to go through this experience,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi) “A huge thank you must also go to Hawai‘i’s banks, credit unions, utilities, and non-profits that stepped up to help federal workers in our state. Shutdowns don’t work, and I’m hopeful that everyone has learned this lesson for the last time,” Schatz continued.

“I want to thank all of the incredible federal workers, and their amazing families, who have shown such extraordinary devotion in the face of this recent hardship,” Trump said.  “You are fantastic people.  You are incredible patriots.  Many of you have suffered far greater than anyone, but your families would know or understand.  And not only did you not complain, but in many cases you encouraged me to keep going because you care so much about our country and about its border security.”