The White House hit back at Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE’s (R-S.C.) comments calling White House aide Stephen Miller an “outlier” on immigration, using the same phrase to describe Graham’s stance on the topic.

“As long as Sen. Graham chooses to support legislation that sides with people in this country illegally and unlawfully instead of our own American citizens, we're going nowhere. He’s been an outlier for years,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement Sunday night, according to several reports.

Graham had used nearly identical terms to describe Miller on immigration earlier in the day.

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"Every time we have a proposal it is only yanked back by staff members. As long as Stephen Miller is in charge of negotiating immigration, we're going nowhere," the senator told reporters.

Democrats have complained about Miller's involvement in immigration talks, saying that he is pushing President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE too far to the right and preventing the administration from being able to reach a deal with Congress.

The comments come as lawmakers struggle to come to an agreement on immigration as the government shutdown nears the end of its second day.