January 19, 2018
As many of you are aware, annual funding for the government expires on January 19. The Administration does not believe it is necessary for a lapse in funding to occur, and looks forward to working with the Congress to finalize appropriations for this year.
However, prudent management requires that we be prepared for all contingencies, including the possibility that a lapse could occur. A lapse would mean that a number of government activities would cease due to a lack of appropriated funding, and that a number of employees would be temporarily furloughed. To prepare for this possibility, we are working to update our contingency plans for executing an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by a lapse in appropriations.
Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and patience through this process, and for all that you do for the Department and the American people.
Sincerely,
Elaine C. Duke
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
