“I am grateful and relieved that a majority in the Senate has finally recognized what the American people want -- real border security first, not amnesty.

I have always said that before we even think about guest worker programs, we first must secure our borders to stop illegal aliens from entering this country. Instead, the Senate bill would have penalized those attempting to enter the country legally while allowing millions of illegal immigrants to move to the front of the line.

Last year, the House passed immigration legislation with tough border security, improved surveillance, and workable employment eligibility verification. Now that the Senate bill is dead, I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that this kind of legislation – not amnesty – is enacted."