In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said that Congress's battle over his agency's funding is "absurd."
"What we need is a fully funded Department of Homeland Security, particularly in these challenging times when we face a number of issues across the board. The Department is responsible for counterterrorism, cyber security, border security, port security, aviation security, maritime security; protection of our national leaders, obviously the secret service; responding to natural disasters. We are in the midst of a very harsh winter right now," he said.
"So to even be having a conversation about a potential shutdown of Homeland Security is incredible and absurd," he added.
Watch the whole interview here: