Today, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) announced its praise for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's proposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Funding for DHS will expire on February 27, unless Congress passes an appropriations bill.
"I'd like to commend Majority Leader McConnell for ending this fatal game of chicken that otherwise left our homeland vulnerable in the back seat of the competing vehicles," stated Jon Adler, FLEOA National President. Adler added, "Putting a legislative gun to the head of our homeland security and holding it hostage is a reckless plan for addressing immigration concerns."
If the funding for DHS expires, 90% of the DHS workforce would be required to work without pay, while the other 10% are placed on furlough.
Unfortunately, mortgage payments and other critical living expenses won't take pause to accommodate our brave men and women working without pay. Additionally, violent criminals may seek to exploit any vulnerabilities in our homeland security that may result from a funding stoppage.
FLEOA is optimistic that cooler minds and not playground tantrums will rule the day on the Hill and ensure DHS continues to be funded. "Our members working for the USSS, ICE, TSA/FAMS, FLETC, FPS, CGIS, FEMA, OIG, and CBP are real people accepting real risks, and they deserve to be compensated for their steadfast commitment to homeland security," stated Adler.
Concurrent with any lapse in DHS' funding, there will be no commensurate lapse in criminals’ funding. FLEOA hopes the full Congress will embrace Majority Leader McConnell's proposal and ensure the continued safety of our homeland.
About FLEOA
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (www.fleoa.org) is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan professional association that exclusively represents over 26,000 active and retired federal law enforcement officers from over 65 agencies.
