Lawmakers are facing a tight schedule to pass a $40 billion funding for the Department of Homeland Security in order to prevent a partial agency shutdown, USA Today reported Sunday.
Erin Kelly and Susan Davis write DHS’ funding is set to expire on Friday unless Congress decides on President Barack Obama’s proposed immigration policy before the deadline.
DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson told CNN the nation’s security will be compromised and that nearly 30,000 employees could face furlough if Congress fails to fund the department, according to the report.
USA Today reports more than 80 percent of DHS employees will have to work without pay if the agency shuts down.
Legislators have run into a deadlock over amendments to Obama’s immigration policy that seeks to grant legal status to about 4 million undocumented immigrants and permit them to work in the U.S. for up to three years, the report says.
Congress is considering to pass another continuing resolution to fund DHS for a short period and wait for the court’s decision on Obama’s policy, USA Today reports.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Texas previously approved a temporary motion to block the implementation of Obama’s immigration actions after 26 states challenged the policy’s constitutionality.
