Colleagues,
As many of you are aware, annual funding for much of the Government, including DHS, expires on September 30. There is still time for Congress to complete appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024.
Prudent management requires the proper preparation for all contingencies, including the possibility that a lapse could occur. While certain government activities must cease during a lapse, many DHS functions will continue to operate. During this time, some of you will be temporarily furloughed while others who perform excepted functions will continue to execute your assigned duties. After the lapse ends, the law requires that both furloughed and excepted employees will receive retroactive pay for the furlough period as soon as possible.
The Department has updated our contingency plans for executing an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by a lapse in appropriations. Should we reach this point, you will receive instructions regarding your furlough status, including guidance on if and how to perform your duties during the lapse. The DHS lapse plan is currently available here. I thank you for your patience, service, and dedication as we move through this process.
Our collective mission is of great importance, and each and every one of you contributes in meaningful ways to keeping our nation, the American people, and our way of life secure.
Thank you for all that you do.
Sincerely,
R.D. Alles
Deputy Under Secretary for Management