Reid was inspired by recent reports that David and Charles Koch held their latest donor and political organizing conference in California under tight security and secrecy, with no one talking publicly about what was discussed or decided there.

“Attendees were sworn to secrecy. High levels of security, concealment, an oath of silence,” Reid said in a Senate floor speech. “That doesn’t sound anything like a typical conference. It sounds more like a cult.”

But it’s not your normal cult, Reid said.

“Instead of being a religious movement or a secret sect, this is a cult of money, influence and self-serving politics,” Reid said. “This is the cult of Koch.”