The issue focused on federal enforcement of laws governing illegal immigration. Lawmakers took aim at Attorney General Jeff Sessions in particular.

Sessions said during his confirmation hearing that he would focus enforcement resources on criminal aliens. His stated reasons were "low-level, low-level offenders." But legal experts say it's difficult to prove criminal liability for unlawful immigrants who don't commit crimes. The Justice Department did not respond to questions about whether criminal prosecutions have increased under Sessions.

Other GOP lawmakers pushed back against Sessions