WASHINGTON, DC - This weekend, President Donald Trump announced that he and Congress have reached a deal to temporarily reopen the federal government.

“I am very proud to announce today that we have reached a deal to end the shutdown and re-open the federal government,” President Trump noted in a speech delivered in the White House Rose Garden.

Though the deal reportedly does not include $5.7 billion in border security funding, the President’s tone was, at times, combative. Referring perhaps to the possibility of declaring a state of emergency and unilaterally appropriating funding for his border security proposal, the President continued: “As everyone knows, I have a very powerful alternative, but I didn’t want to use it at this time. Hopefully, it won’t be necessary.”

The President’s remarks Friday afternoon came on the heels of news that the FAA was delaying or suspending some flights to LaGuardia Airport because of Air Traffic Control staffing issues.

Estimates by S&P Global Rankings reported on by USA Today predict that, as of January 25, the government shutdown has racked up a net economic cost of $7.1 billion.

On Sunday, according to a top White House official, some of the estimated 800,000 federal employees who have gone paycheck-less during the shutdown could potentially begin getting their back pay by early this week, depending on the payroll provider.

Some of the costs due to the shutdown have fallen on the grocery industry. A St. Louis Save-a-Lot store where SNAP customers make up the vast majority of shoppers, was put in the position of being forced to close its doors should the shutdown continue. And one Pennsylvania retailer, D&K Surplus Grocery, was rendered unable to process SNAP benefits for 600 of its customers.

Grocers and food companies across the nation have offered support to federal workers in a variety of ways (see examples here, here, and here).

The temporary reopening of government—effective through February 15—should promise a respite for flagging stores and shoppers alike.

Sources have noted that the deal will not, at this time, include concessions on border security.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report with updates as the situation unfolds and more news is forthcoming.