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Trump Vows to Keep Gov't Closed For 'Months, Even Years' - Dems

© AP Photo / Carolyn KasterThe sun rises behind the White House in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers faced a partial government shutdown early Saturday after Democrats refused to meet President Donald Trump's demands for $5 billion to start erecting a border wall with Mexico
The sun rises behind the White House in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers faced a partial government shutdown early Saturday after Democrats refused to meet President Donald Trump's demands for $5 billion to start erecting a border wall with Mexico - Sputnik International
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According to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Trump said that he would keep the government closed for a "very long period of time, months or even years."

"We told the president we needed the government open. He resisted. In fact, he said he'd keep the government closed for a very long period of time: Months or even years," Schumer told reporters.

Following the Congress swear-in ceremony that took place the day before, the US House of Representatives approved a bill to end the government shutdown despite Trump's threats to veto it.

READ MORE: 'Hardcore Ideological' Divide Could Make US Gov't Shutdown Last 'Weeks' — Prof

Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he has designated a group to meet over the weekend to address border security issues amid government shutdown talks with Democrats.

"So we had a productive meeting today with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer," Trump said. "I've designated a group, and we're going to be meeting over the weekend, that group, to determine what we're going to do about the border."

House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) delivers a speech after being elected speaker as the U.S. House of Representatives - Sputnik International
US House Approves Bills to End Govt Shutdown, Ignores Trump Veto Threats
Besides the Friday meeting with Trump, Democrats had another meeting earlier on Wednesday. Following the meeting, Schumer and Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi said the Democrats would continue to push their own legislation when the new Congress convenes to reopen the US federal government after Trump failed to provide a good reason for not ending the shutdown.

Federal government agencies have been partially closed since December 22 after Democratic lawmakers refused to meet President Donald Trump's demand for $5 billion to build the controversial wall on the US-Mexico border. The president rejected a Democratic deal that included $1.3 billion in border security.

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