Colleagues,
Over the weekend, Congress passed, and President Biden signed a bipartisan, short-term spending bill (called a continuing resolution or CR) to avert a shutdown and keep our government open through November 17.
First and foremost, the CR means that every DHS employee should report to work as normal on their next regularly scheduled workday. Employees with approved leave may take their leave as normal. The CR ensures that every member of the DHS workforce can keep working and receive the full pay they deserve on time.
The CR provides additional assurances for the Department by reauthorizing our counter drone authority and the National Flood Insurance Program. Likewise, it funds critical disaster relief and our work to protect our borders; and maintains our cybersecurity posture.
We know that the uncertainty of the last few days has put a tremendous strain on many of you, and on your families. We also recognize that this bill portends another such moment of difficulty in the weeks ahead. We are hopeful a budget deal will be reached and will continue to track Congressional movement to provide the funding the American people and you deserve to support our critical missions.
Thank you for all that you and your families do and thank you for your unwavering commitment to our Department.
Sincerely,
R.D. Alles
Deputy Under Secretary for Management