already approved, but that's for everything. >> reporter: the president also claimed that many of the 800,000 federal employees affected by the shutdown want it to continue until he wins his battle with congress. >> many of those workers have said to me and communicated, stay out until you get the funding for the wall. these federal workers want the wall. >> reporter: try telling that to erin kidwell. if you had one wish for christmas what would it be? >> not be furloughed. ( laughs ) we're really worried about what this furlough's going to mean for us. >> reporter: kidwell and her husband have both been furloughed by the u.s. forest service in oregon. they have two young children and christmas bills are coming due. what is the hardest part of this for you? >> just the unknown, you know? i don't-- i worry. i'm a worrier. and the longer and longer it is the more bigger the impact it is. >> reporter: the president, who last visited the border in march in california, said he's making great progress on building the wall, claiming that contracts