Congressional staffer briefs Cole County commissioners on shutdown impacts and takes local questions

Sarah Williams, a representative from U.S. Rep. Mark Onder’s office, attended the Oct. 14 Cole County Commission meeting to hear local concerns and to provide an update about the federal government shutdown.

"We are going into the third week of the government shutdown," Williams said, summarizing recent congressional action and staff work. She told commissioners that Rep. Onder and others supported a continuing resolution that passed Sept. 19 and described counterproposals in Congress that, in her characterization, would redirect funds for certain immigration spending. "The countered amended CR, would result in roughly around $2,000,000,000 in spending on illegal immigrants and other non citizens over the next, over the course of the next decade," Williams said, attributing those figures to congressional staff analysis. She added that contested proposals could affect funding streams for programs such as the State Children's Health Insurance Program and other health investments.

Williams also addressed questions from commissioners about pay for active-duty service members. After a commissioner asked whether active-duty pay would be covered, Williams said she had not verified every detail but that the administration had taken steps to use appropriated funds to support some active-duty military pay and certain federal law-enforcement salaries. She committed to follow up with the commission on specifics.

Williams encouraged local elected officials and department heads with issues related to the shutdown to contact her office; she noted that the Congressman’s local office is nearby. The commission and Williams did not take any formal action on federal funding during the meeting; staff follow-up was requested for several items.