No pay for 300 in state if plan fails

WASHINGTON -- As many as 300 Arkansans would be expected to work without pay if Congress cannot agree on a plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security by midnight.

Republicans want a funding bill that prohibits the agency from spending money to implement changes to federal immigration policy that would allow up to 5 million illegal aliens to remain in the country without threat of deportation. Democrats want a bill that funds only the agency.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said shutting down the agency affects more than immigration. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coast Guard, Border Patrol, Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration all fall under its authority. It also gives out millions in grants to state and local governments each year for emergency response and equipment.

"Especially in these times right now, it is illogical and absurd to even contemplate the possibility of a shutdown," Johnson said.

Johnson said more than 80 percent of the agency's 230,000 employees will be deemed essential and will continue to work without pay during a shutdown. Administrators such as human resources employees, hiring managers and trainers, will be furloughed.

It wasn't clear Thursday how many of Arkansas' 283 full-time Homeland Security employees and 20 Coast Guard members would report to work.

Furloughing administrators means no one is there to process grant applications, issue disaster payments or answer questions, Johnson said.

"Our ability to fund grants, homeland security grants, to sustain local law enforcement around the country grinds to a halt," he said. "That has huge consequences for state and local law enforcement, first responders around the country, for state police, city police, county sheriffs."

Arkansas Rural and Volunteer Firefighters Association President Jimmy Sullivent said he's worried a shutdown could mean equipment delays for rural departments. Sullivent is chief of Crawford County Rural Fire District 6 which is waiting to hear about a nearly $1 million grant for communication equipment.

A department's equipment can affect homeowners because insurance companies weigh the local department's ability when setting rates and premiums, he said.

"It's not operating money that you are asking for, it's stuff that you cannot afford that you are trying to get to better your department," Sullivent said. "If you don't get the grant it's not going to kill you -- you just [aren't] going to be able to do things for a year."

Arkansas' House delegation is split on what to do next.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Hot Springs, said he opposes legislation that doesn't restrict the immigration policy.

"My opposition is for one reason and one reason only -- it in no way addresses the president's unconstitutional actions. It is time to take a stand instead of caving to the president on this important issue that undermines the separation of powers and our Constitution," he said in a statement.

On Feb. 17, a Texas judge temporarily halted President Barack Obama's immigration order. U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, a Republican from Rogers, said in a statement the courts need time to consider the executive action.

"As this plays out in the courts, we cannot compromise the security of our nation by shutting down [Homeland Security]," he said.

U.S. Reps. French Hill of Little Rock and Rick Crawford of Jonesboro were not available for comment Thursday evening.

Metro on 02/27/2015

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