A bipartisan Senate immigration reform proposal unveiled Monday received a cool response from Texas Republicans, despite the importance of the issue to the state's growing minority population.

In announcing the framework offered by four Republicans and four Democrats, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., was clear about why he believes it is imperative that the proposal becomes law.

“Elections. Elections,” McCain said. “The Republican Party is losing support of our Hispanic citizens.”

The plan includes a path to citizenship for the country's estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.