“In perhaps its final ignominious act, the Reid Senate has ushered a 1,774 page omnibus funding measure through the world’s greatest deliberative body without a single amendment, a single chance for improvement, or a single opportunity for public participation.

“The United States Senate – challenged directly by the President’s unconstitutional immigration order – has laid prostrate and defenseless. Reid and his caucus have aggressively blocked a vote on my amendment to prohibit funds for the President’s illegal action – a motion that received unanimous Republican support and also five Democrat votes when last offered. Surely, Congress should not fund an action which violates our laws and imposes new laws we have refused to pass.

“But the Senate has made no attempt to defend itself, the Constitution and the citizens we are supposed to represent. Once again, Senate Democrats rallied around their leader to serve as the Administration’s imperial guard. They acted one more time to protect the White House at the expense of their own constituents. Why can’t Americans get representation in their own Senate?

“President Obama’s order violates the laws Congress has passed in order to force on the nation laws Congress has refused to pass. His order gives work permits, photo ID’s, Social Security, Medicare and free tax credits to illegal immigrants – taking jobs, wages and benefits directly from struggling Americans and lawful immigrants.

“It is not a choice but a duty: the new Senate in January must have no higher priority than to block this amnesty and defend the "people who sent us here. Every American must use the days and weeks ahead to call their lawmakers and ask them simply: who do you represent?