The issue focused on federal programs that provide financial assistance to illegal immigrants. Senate Democrats took issue with both President Obama's executive actions and legislation passed by Congress in 2012, which banned enforcement of federal laws against illegal immigration.

They called for Attorney General Eric Holder to sue the federal government over enforcement actions taken under his law enforcement powers. The attorney general has been legally barred from suing the federal government under federal law because he is not a federal officer.

When asked if he would enforce federal laws against illegal immigration