Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and David Vitter (R-La.) on Wednesday introduced an amendment to stop the Obama administration from pursuing a legal challenge to Arizona’s controversial immigration law.

The conservative duo will look to block the challenge through an amendment to a small-business bill. In a statement, DeMint accused President Barack Obama of endangering citizens in an effort to “score points with his liberal base.”

“The federal government is rewarding illegal behavior and encouraging many more to enter our nation illegally when they refuse to enforce our laws. States along the border are facing kidnappings, drug trafficking, human trafficking and gang violence and they have a duty to keep their residents safe,” DeMint said. “Instead of suing states for doing his job, the President should get serious and stop holding border security hostage to pass amnesty and score points with his liberal base.”

The Department of Justice has decided to challenge the law, arguing that Arizona has overstepped its authority in attempting to regulate immigration. DOJ also argues provisions giving the police broad power to detain “suspected” illegal immigrants could result in racial profiling.