REPORT: Trump To Sign Border Bill, Declare National Emergency

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Congress’ border security measure and President Donald Trump (all times local):

3:40 p.m.

The White House confirms that President Donald Trump will sign a bill averting a potential partial government shutdown at the end of the week.

Press Secretary Sarah Sanders says Trump will also take “other executive action — including a national emergency” as he seeks to keep his border wall pledge. The bipartisan congressional legislation expected to pass Thursday includes only a fraction of the billions of dollars Trump is seeking to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Sanders says, “The President is once again delivering on his promise to build the wall, protect the border, and secure our great country.”

An emergency declaration to shift funding from other federal priorities to the border is expected to face swift legal challenge.

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3:15 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says President Donald Trump has indicated he’s prepared to sign the government funding bill and issue a national emergency on the border.

McConnell said Thursday the Senate will soon vote on the bill that’s needed to avoid a partial federal shutdown Friday.

The comprise measure keeps departments running through the fiscal year but without the $5.7 billion Trump wanted for the border wall with Mexico.

The House is also expected to vote on the bill later Thursday.

Trump’s assent would end a raucous legislative saga that commenced before Christmas and saw Trump force a record 35-day partial federal shutdown.