Obama plans to cut justice money for House illegals, being fought

The Obama administration hopes to scrap a program that provides assistance to counties that house illegal aliens in their jails.

In the past the state received $12 million as part of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.

Congressman Dan Newhouse says he plans to battle the administration effort.

"Contrary to the administration wanting to zero out this budget item, we as Republicans are working to emphasize and make it stronger," says Newhouse.

He argues the elimination of the program is another example of an unfunded mandate from the federal government.