Senate critics of an effort to pass a major overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws lashed out at the measure Friday, the first day of debate on whether to move the proposed legislation to the Senate for a vote.

The arguments discussed on the Senate floor Friday represents the beginning of what could be a month-long debate on a measure that would grant citizenship to 11 million unauthorized immigrants. Democrats spoke in favor of the bill.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of the bill, was joined by other Republicans who said bill grants “amnesty” to people living here illegally, does not do enough to secure the border and brings in too many foreign workers who will take jobs from unemployed Americans.

“The legislation that’s been offered by the Gang of Eight says they’ve fixed it. ‘Don’t worry,'” Sessions said, referring to the eight senators who crafted the original measure. “Well, it won’t do that.”

via Critics lash out at immigration bill on Senate floor.