CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) _ The state’s senators are calling on Congress to fully fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security because emergency officials in Rhode Island rely on the funding.
Democratic U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse say the department is at risk of a partial shutdown when it runs out of money at the end of the month. They blame Republicans for holding the funds “hostage” to protest the administration’s immigration policies.
Reed and Whitehouse are discussing the potential impact on Friday in Cranston.
They say a funding lapse could significantly delay grants first responders rely on for equipment, and make it harder for Rhode Island to be reimbursed for the cost of digging out from recent snowstorms.
They’re urging Congress to allocate funds through the end of the fiscal year.
