Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, turned to the ancient words of Cicero Thursday on the Senate floor to denounce President Obama’s planned actions, to be outlined Thursday evening, that are expected to grant legal status to millions of illegal immigrants in the country.

Mr. Cruz invoked the words of the Roman philosopher directed more than 2,000 years ago to Catiline, an aristocrat who was planning a revolt against the Roman government.

“The words of Cicero — powerfully relevant 2,077 years later,” Mr. Cruz said, adapting the words slightly for his immediate purposes.

“What? Shall we, who are the Senate, tolerate President Obama, openly desirous to destroy the constitution and this republic?” Mr. Cruz said.

“For we have a resolution of the Senate, a formidable and authoritative decree against you, Mr. President; the wisdom of the republic is not at fault, nor the dignity of this senatorial body,” he said. “We, we alone — I say it openly — we, the Senate, are waiting in our duty to stop this lawless administration and its unconstitutional amnesty.”

Republicans, in objecting to Mr. Obama’s planned actions, have repeatedly pointed to Mr. Obama’s own statements that he is not an “emperor” or a “king” and is limited in what he can do by his authority as president. The White House has said Mr. Obama’s actions will fall under his constitutional authorities as president.

Mr. Cruz famously cited Dr. Suess’s “Green Eggs and Ham” on the Senate floor last year during a marathon speech outlining his opposition to Obamacare.

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