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Members of Long Island's congressional delegation Tuesday urged Republican lawmakers to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security that is set to expire Saturday.

At a news conference at LaGuardia Airport, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), and Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) joined Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) to call for passage of the $39.7 billion funding bill.

"Given the recent attacks in Europe and the increased threat on the United States, it would be unconscionable to shut down DHS at a time we need it most," Israel said.

Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), who serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, also called for immediate approval of the agency's funding, saying he has contacted other GOP House members to convince them to act quickly.

"No excuses, we have to fund homeland security," King said in an interview. "It's absolute insanity when the terrorists are greater than they've been, that we would ever consider not funding the Department of Homeland Security for one day."

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson told reporters Tuesday "a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has real consequences to homeland security and public safety."

A measure passed by the Republican-controlled House would provide $39.7 billion in Homeland Security Department funding on the condition that the money not be spent to implement Obama administration immigration actions. They include a program to defer deportation for more than 5 million people living the United States illegally.

Democrats oppose the funding bill because of the immigration language, and are calling for passage of a "clean" bill not tied to Obama's immigration plan.

Democrats say if the measure is not passed before Saturday, some 50,000 Transportation Security Administrtion aviation screeners, including 1,037 at LaGuardia and 2,022 at JFK, will have to report to work without pay. Also, funding for counterterrorism programs such as the $1.8 million Nassau and Suffolk receive for port security will be put on hold.

Rice, who sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, said she was hopeful "like-minded" Republicans would join Democrats in voting for a bill before Saturday. She said she hoped they "will stand up to the more extreme voices in their party and say 'enough is enough let's get this done.' "

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) said he opposes Obama's immigration moves as an overreach of authority. But he said he has "a duty to analyze whatever" measure passes the Senate, while "keeping all of our nation's highest priorities in mind, which most importantly includes protecting our homeland at all costs."

(Newsday / News 12 Long Island)