Progress Made!

All: The CC has been instructed by FSD Mike Scott to “stand down” from employee notifications regarding the possible furlough.  He received an email from Deputy Assistant Administrator (Acting) Scott Johnson stating “…due to progress made on the Hill, TSA will be proceeding with normal operations.”

Memorandum for DHS Employees

December 15, 2011

Memorandum for DHS Employees

As many of you are aware, the current Continuing Resolution funding the Federal Government for the fiscal year expires this Friday, December 16 at midnight.

While Congress continues to consider an omnibus appropriations bill and extensions to the payroll tax cut and Unemployment Insurance benefits, there is no guarantee that it will finish all of its work before Friday at midnight. The President has urged Congress to complete its work on the budget and has made it clear that he does not want a Government shutdown. Given the realities of the calendar, prudent management requires that we plan for an orderly shutdown should Congress fail to complete its work or to pass another short-term continuing resolution that would give it more time to take up these important matters.

The uncertainty of the current situation puts federal employees in a difficult position, and we are very much aware that a shutdown would impose hardships on many employees as well as the groups and individuals our agency serves. As we approach the expiration of the current appropriation, we will continue to provide you with updated information as soon as it becomes available. For now, we want to provide you with information on how the potential funding lapse – should it occur – would impact Federal employees.

If funding lapses on December 16, the affected Federal departments and agencies would not be permitted to incur further financial obligations for activities funded by annual appropriations, except those related to the orderly suspension of operations or performance of excepted activities. This means that some employees would be furloughed and unable to work. Our contingency planning for the potential funding lapse includes determining which agency functions and employees are excepted from a furlough. Should it become necessary to implement our contingency plans, you will receive informal notice from your manager no later than Friday, December 16 and formal notice no later than Monday, December 19 regarding the designation of your position and furlough status.

Additional information is available at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website, http://www.opm.gov/furlough/. As needed, OPM will provide additional pertinent information for federal employees as the week progresses.

Situations like these are always difficult, particularly for the employees who provide critical services to the American public. Thank you for the work you do every day to keep our nation safe and for your continued service to the Department and the country.