Congressman Joe Wilson believes President Trump will prevail in the federal shutdown.

The partial shutdown began Dec. 22 after Congress failed to allocate $5 billion Trump wants for a Mexican border wall.

“I have faith in President Trump,” the Springdale Republican said. “He is a negotiator.”

At a Monday press briefing in West Columbia, Wilson previewed his 2019 legislative agenda.

He said he believes Trump will work out the impasse with the new majority-Democratic House, but it needs to be done this month.

This is the first week many federal employees received no pay, although they will be paid after the shutdown ends.

Wilson said the country’s Mexican border must be protected to stop drugs, gangs, human traffickers and terrorists.

He said he supports the Presidents declaration of a national Emergency for $5 billion for a border barrier.

Wilson said he expects to keep making progress, despite being in the minority party in the House.

“We have promoted positive conservative change,” he said.

“As a member of the minority, I will continue fighting for limited government and expanded freedom for American families.”

As a House Armed Services Committee member, he said he was pleased by passage of the most-successful, bi-partisan bill to fund the US military, reversing a decline in armed forces readiness.

Wilson also said he wants to expand economic opportunities with other countries including Bulgaria, Poland and Guatemala.

Wilson announced that District Director Butch Wallace will be leaving that post and Deputy Alex Morris will take his place. Sta-mi Williams was also announced as Wilson’s new Communications director.