Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio got into one of the strongest exchanges Saturday during the Republican presidential debate in South Carolina over illegal immigration — with Rubio eventually slamming Cruz as a liar.
Rubio started the exchange by saying that he did not support amnesty for illegals and that Americans will not support immigration until "you prove to people that illegal immigration is under control once and for all."
Cruz attacked Rubio's role in the 2013 Gang of Eight bill, saying that he worked against the bill with other conservatives.
"The Rubio-Schumer amnesty plan passed the Senate and it was on the verge of passing the House," he said. "Where did you stand in that fight? There is a difference between Senator Rubio and me."
Rubio then hit back by saying that Cruz did support the amnesty bill and that he had even proposed an amendment that would aid illegals.
The exchange eventually grew more intense between the two Cuban-American senators — even with Rubio accusing Cruz of not knowing Spanish and the Texas senator speaking a few words in response — the Florida senator then accused him of being a liar.
"This is a disturbing pattern now," Rubio declared. "For a number of weeks, Ted Cruz has just been telling lies.
"He lied about Ben Carson in Iowa. He lies about Planned Parenthood and marriage. And he makes things up.
"The bottom line is this is a campaign and people are watching," Rubio said. "Here is the truth: Ted Cruz supported legalizing people in this country."
"That is absolutely false," Cruz shot back. "What he said is knowingly false."