Homeland Security Chief: Budget Impasse Could Harm States

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is warning states that the possible shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security would harm the nation's ability to counter the extremist appeal of the Islamic State group within the U.S. and help communities struggling with winter snowstorms.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says if Congress fails to agree to a new budget for his department by the end of Friday, it would lead to staff furloughs that could harm the U.S. response to terrorist threats and two months of devastating snowfall.

Congress was returning to work on Monday, just days before funding for DHS' $40 billion budget ends. Lawmakers have until the end of the week to approve the budget and avoid shutting down the department, but no clear solution is in sight.