Immigration Reform 2014: Obama To Take Executive Action Amid GOP Obstruction

President Barack Obama announced Monday executive actions he will be taking on immigration amid growing frustration from the administration with Republicans who have blocked a vote on reform.

Obama lashed out at House Republicans who said they wouldn't allow an up or down vote on the Senate immigration bill until at least the end of the year.

"The failure of House Republicans to pass a darn bill is bad for our security, it's bad for our economy and it's bad for our future," Obama said Monday from the White House, calling on the GOP to "drop the excuses and act" on immigration reform. "America cannot wait forever for them to act."

The president said he would be directing Department of Homeland Security resources closer to the border as a surge of tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors from Central America have been crossing into the country due to misinterpretations of the U.S.immigration policy and perceived future policy. He also said he ordered Attorney General Eric Holder and DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to give him recommendations about what other options he has on immigration through executive actions.

Obama addressed Republican critics who complained of his using executive powers too broadly, saying he only resorts to executive actions "when Congress chooses to do nothing."

"The only thing I can't do is stand by and do nothing while I wait for them to get their act together," the president said.