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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Monday that he would introduce an amendment to the immigration reform bill to ensure that foreign students don’t take the jobs of young Americans.

Sanders said his amendment would stop large employers, such as Hershey's and McDonald's, from using a cultural exchange program to exploit foreign college students and take jobs away from young American workers. 

“Nobody can tell me that we need to bring young people from all over the world to work at entry-level jobs because there are not young Americans who want to do that job,” Sanders said. “With the unemployment rate for young people in this country being extraordinarily high, nobody with a straight face can make that claim.”

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) warned the public Sunday, that they should view the Gang of Eight’s immigration bill and amendments with “great skepticism” since the promise of border enforcement before legalization isn't met in the bill.

“When the Gang of Eight first announced their immigration bill, they declared it was the toughest enforcement plan in history. They declared enforcement would come before legalization,” Sessions said. “Now the bill has been reviewed and there can be no dispute: It weakens current law, undermines future enforcement and puts amnesty — not enforcement — first. 

“So new promises of amendment ‘fixes’ to save the bill should be viewed with great skepticism: Every time, on every issue, the promises have not matched with reality.”

Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill Thursday that would prohibit credit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) said their bill was necessary because currently there is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from credit discrimination.

“Obtaining credit is a critical step for many looking to buy a home, go to college, or start a small business,” Murray said. “And since equal protection under the law is a fundamental right in our country, no one should suffer discrimination when trying to secure a roof over their head or a high quality education.”

The Senate failed to reach an agreement on amendments to the comprehensive immigration reform bill Wednesday because Republicans didn’t want to use a 60-vote threshold.

“This is a very provocative act,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) asked for unanimous consent to an agreement to vote on five amendments if they were held to a 60-vote threshold. Two of the amendments were from Democrats and three were from Republicans.

The newest member of the Senate, Jeff Chiesa (R-N.J.) was sworn in Monday afternoon.

Last Thursday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) appointed state Attorney General Chiesa to fill deceased Sen. Frank Lautenberg's (D-N.J.) seat until the upcoming October special election.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) called the Gang of Eight’s comprehensive immigration reform bill “an immigration version of ObamaCare.”

“However well-intentioned, the Gang of Eight bill is just an immigration version of ObamaCare,” Lee said Sunday. “The Gang of Eight bill is not immigration reform. It is big government dysfunction. It is an immigration ObamaCare. All advocates of true immigration reform — on the left and the right — should oppose it.”

The Senate passed two resolutions Tuesday that would allow for a memorial service for the late-Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) asked for unanimous consent to pass S.Con.Res. 18 and S.Res. 160, which will allow the Capitol to be used Thursday for a memorial service. A specific time for Lautenberg’s service has not been established.

The Senate approved a House bill that would recognize those who made donations to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

On Monday, the Senate agreed to pass the Vietnam Veterans Donor Acknowledgment Act by unanimous consent. 

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) got choked up Monday when talking about his colleague Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s (D-N.J.) death.

Lautenberg died Monday morning at age 89 of viral pneumonia.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) died Monday morning after serving in Congress for more than 30 years.