China later hit back, saying the politicians' attempted meetings violated the claimed purpose of their visit.
"The two US Congressmen came to China as guests of the United States Embassy to engage in internal communications and consultations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.
"They should not engage in activities incompatible with the objective of their visit and with their status."
Speaking by telephone before leaving Beijing, Wolf called China's explanation "simply ridiculous" and said he expected the US ambassador to Beijing to take up the issue.
Two of the Chinese citizens who could not meet the lawmakers, Beijing-based lawyers Li Baiguang and Li Heping, met Bush at the White House on June 23 after receiving awards from the US National Endowment for Democracy.
Li Heping said security officers had ostentatiously tailed him and told him not to meet the US politicians. He said by telephone that he was surprised the audience with Bush had not given him and Li Baiguang some immunity.
"He [Bush] said he was very concerned about human rights and the rule of law in China, especially religious freedom and the freedom of the press," Li Heping said of the meeting.
"He also said that when he comes to Beijing for the Olympics he will raise these issues with President Hu."
Li Baiguang, an evangelical Christian who has now met Bush twice, could not be contacted. His mobile telephone was cut off and other activists said he has been held by state security police on the outskirts of Beijing.
Wolf said the US Government should apply more public pressure to seek the release of jailed Chinese dissidents.
"I think you need to do it publicly," he said. "Frankly, they have to be done the way we used to do it with regard to the Soviet Union."
