By JM Rieger and Sarah Chacko

Prior to effectively adjourning for five weeks, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., used Tuesday’s Senate session to hammer President Barack Obama for proposing changes to immigration laws at the end of the summer without consent from Congress. The administration is reportedly considering an executive order to provide legal status and work authorization cards to 5 million to 6 million of the more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, which Sessions called ‘unlawful.’ “I’ve urged the president to reconsider this plan and to adhere to his plain statements where he has expressely stated he did not have the power to do what he now, in a complete reversal, states that he will do,” Sessions said during a nearly 30-minute floor speech. “It is important for the Congress to stand up and resist the complete errosion of its powers. If these actions are taken, we will have effectively opened the borders of America. We are nearly there already.” Following a pro forma session Friday, the Senate will reconvene for legislative business at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8.