House Democratic Whip Hoyer doubts sequester will affect Boston investigation

Sequestration will not affect law enforcement officials' ongoing investigation into Monday's bombing in Boston, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, a top Democrat, said Tuesday.

"I doubt that it's having any impact presently," Hoyer told reporters when asked about sequestration's impact. "And the reason for that, this is a priority item and I'm sure they're shifting what resources are necessary." He added that even if they have "shorter resources than they otherwise would have had, I'm sure they're putting all the resources necessary on this effort. Certainly on the federal level; I think the president's made that pretty clear."

As part of a budget deal passed in 2011, the federal government was forced to undergo across-the-board budget reductions that began in March.

When asked if he considered the bombing an act of terrorism, Hoyer said he was waiting for more details.

"I don't know the answer. I don't think anybody else knows," he said. "I think we're looking for that. It's going to be very important to find that out."

On Tuesday afternoon, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and FBI Director Robert Mueller are scheduled to brief House members on cybersecurity, and Hoyer said he expects the Boston bombing to be part of the discussion.