Republicans say answer proves Obama can handle sequester
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement director John Morton admits he could have avoided releasing 22,000 illegal immigrant detainees by asking Congress for flexibility under sequestration, but he never made an effort to do so.
Speaking before the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday, Morton said his agency is seeking to "reprogram" how funds are allotted.
"We can seek reprogramming requirements, that is absolutely true," Morton told the committee's chairman. "And we did not in this instance."
"I did not want to rob Peter to pay Paul," Morton went on to say. "My view is we need to maintain the operations of the agency, I don't want to furlough people and I need to make rational judgments across the (recommendations given).
Republicans argue Morton's answer supports their argument that President Obama already has the flexibility to handle the sequester.
