Politics
Obama Warns U.S. Security Funding Lapse Would Hurt Economy
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Roberta Rampton and David Lawder, REUTERS
(Reuters)—U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday that a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security would mean more than 100,000 border patrol, port inspection and airport security agents would be temporarily left without paychecks.
“It will have a direct impact on your economy, and it will have a direct impact on America’s national security because their hard work helps to keep us safe,” Obama said in a speech to a meeting of state governors at the White House.
Homeland Security spending authority will expire at midnight on Friday unless Congress approves new funding. While essential security personnel would still report to work, there would be no money to pay them during the funding lapse.
###
