Video: Abbott Takes Immigration Message to D.C.

Appearing on a pair of national news shows Sunday, Gov. Greg Abbott promised to fight President Obama's executive action on immigration all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he said the case would "no doubt" end up. 

"The president has violated the rule of law and really contradicted the constitution by actually making up the law," Abbott told Bob Schieffer, host of CBS News' Face the Nation. 

The state's former attorney general challenged the executive action in court before being sworn in as governor.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen blocked the executive action, which was announced in November. The policy would have allowed an estimated 5 million undocumented immigrants — including some 1.46 million in Texas — to apply for a work permit and a reprieve from deportation. The White House says it plans to seek an emergency stay by Monday. 

On Fox News' America's News HQ, Abbott claimed the federal government's chances at getting a stay are "close to zero.” 

Meanwhile, Obama's executive action on immigration is the crux of a congressional battle over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which could run out of money at the end of the month. Asked by Schieffer whether Congress send the president a clean bill that would keep the department open, Abbott did not directly weigh in. 

“The first thing we want to get out of Washington, D.C., is full funding to secure the border," he said.

Schieffer later asked Abbott about the 2016 presidential election and the long list of Republican candidates with Texas connections. 

“The odds favor that the next president – at least the Republican nominee – is going to have a Texas connection," Abbott said. The governor declined to list a favorite, saying he is looking for "someone who’s going to follow the Constitution” and secure the border. 

CBS "Face the Nation" – Part 1

CBS "Face the Nation" – Part 2

Fox News "America's News HQ"