White House Backs Funding Bill as Deadline Set to Elapse
President Barack Obama supports passage of the omnibus appropriations bill released on Dec. 9, despite some concerns about specific riders in the legislation, said the White House on Dec. 11 (here). The vast majority of the federal government will shut down on Dec. 12 if a bill isn't signed into law beforehand. The House and Senate are expected to consider the legislation later in day on Dec. 11. The bill would fund the government through Sept. 30, 2015 at slightly boosted appropriations levels for the Commerce Department’s trade arms and other government agencies, but would only fund the Department of Homeland Security through late February (see 1412100012).
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In the statement in support of the bill, the White House also criticized the exclusion of DHS. "The Administration is disappointed that the bill would fund the Department of Homeland Security through February 27, 2015, at last year's levels," said the statement. Short-term continuing resolution funding measures are disruptive, create uncertainty, and impede efficient resource planning and execution." A 2013 shutdown disrupted CBP and other U.S. trade operations (see 13101710).
Meanwhile, the National Treasury Employees Union trashed the funding bill as inadequate for CBP's needs. “CBP is already underfunded and understaffed,” said NTEU National President Colleen Kelley in a press release (here). “Short-term funding at current levels keeps a critical security agency struggling with resources, creates uncertainty and inhibits long-term planning.” The NTEU represents federal government employees, including some at CBP.