“They were unhelpful and uncalled for,” Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said Tuesday.

Both stopped short of criticizing Bush’s deal with Senate leaders, explaining that it would be premature to judge the legislation due to the influx of amendments that have yet to be debated.

“The emotions across American are so high on this issue,” Putnam said, acknowledging that while some House GOP lawmakers are working to craft alternative immigration legislation, many “members are appropriately waiting to see the final [version].”

During a May 29 appearance in Georgia, Bush told listeners, “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it ... You can use it to frighten people.” The president’s remarks were aimed at conservatives in his own party who have decried the bill as “amnesty,” as well as Democratic lawmakers who think the compromise will not do enough for the families of illegal immigrants.

“It’s not an amnesty bill,” Bush said. “That’s empty political rhetoric trying to frighten our fellow citizens.” Blunt said he didn’t fault the president for trying to solve the immigration issue.

“I hope we have a debate,” he said.

Blunt’s and Putnam’s comments come several weeks after Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) referred to the Senate compromise as “a piece of s---“ during a private gathering at the Capitol Club, according to reports.

When later asked by reporters to expand on his comments, Boehner noted that they were made in private, but conceded he was not entirely pleased with the legislation in its current form.

“I have serious concerns with the bill,” he said.