Hours after taking control of the US House of Representatives, the Democrats have voted end a government shutdown – WITHOUT money for Donald Trump’s border wall.

Democrats wasted no time flexing their new power as they maneuvered to pass legislation backed by new speaker Nancy Pelosi on the 13th day of the partial shutdown.

Speaking to reporters, Pelosi said: "What we are asking the Republicans in the Senate to do, is to take yes for an answer. We have sent — are sending them back exactly word for word what they have passed.

"So we are just saying it, let’s make it easy for you. Do what you have already done. Open up government. Let’s have an adult conversation about how we protect our borders. And let’s listen to people who know what they’re talking about."

She added: "We are not doing a wall. Does anybody have any doubt that we are not doing a wall. So that is that.

"It has nothing to do with politics. It has to do with the wall is an immorality between countries. It’s an old way of thinking, it isn’t cost effective."

Thursday marked the first day of a divided government in Washington since Trump took office in January 2017, as Democrats took control in the House from his fellow Republicans, who remain in charge of the Senate.

The 2019-2020 Congress convened with roughly a quarter of the federal government closed, affecting 800,000 employees, in a shutdown triggered by Trump’s demand last month for $5 billion for a US-Mexican border wall – opposed by Democrats – as part of any legislation funding government agencies.

Earlier, Pelosi was elected to be the new speaker of the House

This marks Pelosi’s second stint as speaker after being the first woman ever to hold the job, serving from 2007 until 2011.

Pelosi received 220 votes for speaker, while Republican representative Kevin McCarthy got 192 votes.

The election puts Pelosi in position to lead the opposition to President Donald Trump’s agenda and to conduct in-depth investigations of his administration following two years during which Republicans have mainly given him a free pass.

Pelosi, 78, has made clear the House’s Democratic-run committees will conduct in-depth oversight of Trump administration officials and are likely to try to get the President’s recent tax returns as part of House investigations into his business dealings.

As House speaker, Pelosi will set the legislative agenda for the House, is a leading figure in Democratic Party politics and is second in line for the presidency after Vice President Mike Pence if Trump were to become incapacitated.

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