With Department of Homeland security funding due to run out at the end of today, the North Country representative in Congress says she supports the Senate version of the bill to fund the department.

“Therefore, when brought up for a vote in the House, I will vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security and I support the clean Senate bill,” Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro) said in a statement today.

Congress has been deadlocked over the DHS bill approved in the House which includes provisions that would reverse President Barack Obama’s controversial immigration policy initiatives by executive order – and without congressional action -- to permit children of undocumented immigrants who came here illegally to stay and work on a temporary basis, among other measures.

Opposition from Republicans prompted the House to add the immigration order reversal language to their version of the DHS funding bill. The Senate is on track to approve a bill without the immigration policy language. That leaves the House to decide what it will do as DHS funding will run out today.

Without funding authorization, DHS says they will not be able to pay their employees, including those who work on the U.S.-Canada border.

“I don't support government shutdowns, and this impasse is an example of the kind of Washington dysfunction that I pledged to help stop,” Stefanik said.

In her statement she noted the northern border with Canada and the role DHS plays in maintaining border security.

“The Department of Homeland Security provides critical services to help keep our nation safe. In New York's 21st district, DHS funding is crucial because of the broad economic importance of our Canadian border, and the need to make sure that the thousands of North Country DHS employees are paid on time for their hard work.”