Republican governors differed Sunday on the Obama administration's announcement to allow states more flexibility on the work requirement for welfare.

Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad lashed out at the plan, suggesting the administration has exceeded its authority, while Florida Gov. Rick Scott suggested the flexibility would allow him to keep the work requirement.

"This is a huge step in the wrong direction," Brandstad said on Fox News Sunday. "I think it's illegal."

The Department of Health and Human Services told states Thursday that they may seek a waiver for the program's strict work requirements. 

Scott made clear that Floridians seeking benefits will still have to look for a job.

"People need to be going out and looking for a job," he said. "We believe in personal responsibility, and we're going to have that in our state."

Following the policy directive Thursday, Mitt Romney and other Republicans accused the administration of unilaterally gutting welfare reform, thus overhauling one of the most important bipartisan agreements of the past several decades.