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House Republicans want to question Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg about his potential indictment of former President Trump — but Senate Republicans aren't so hot on the idea.

Why it matters: The move by House Republicans — perhaps their boldest effort yet to protect Trump — is drawing mixed reactions from their colleagues in the Senate, many of whom see serious risks in second-guessing how local prosecutors pursue cases.

What they're saying: "I personally prefer to see them work on the agenda they ran on and that got them the majority" in the House, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told Axios.

Other senators voiced support for the House Republican effort:

The big picture: The House GOP's strategy is the latest Trump-era example of how government institutions and traditions are being challenged by highly partisan conflicts.

Driving the news: Bragg has given no indication he'll comply with the GOP request, leaving Congress (mostly) at the mercy of President Biden’s Justice Department to enforce a potential subpoena.

Between the lines: In their letter to Bragg on Monday, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and House Administration Chair Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) were careful to couch their request with language about Congress’ legitimate legislative functions.

The other side: Some Democrats say those claims are a bit thin to justify a demand that Bragg testify.

The intrigue: There’s a third option for Congress to compel Bragg's testimony, but it also would reflect how combative American politics has become.