But on the House side, the last two weeks have put into sharp focus that tense dynamics have gotten worse. The creation of the select committee to investigate the January 6, which pitted House party leadership against each other and put members’ previous positions on the attack back in the forefront, followed by a mask mandate being reinstated, has infused a level of rage through the hallways of the House that has poured gasoline on an already scorching working relationship.

“Especially for people who have experience and a history of working with each other across the aisle, I felt like things were finally starting to thaw” a Democratic aide, reflecting on the last few months told CNN. “Unfortunately, now it feels like that came to a halt this week.”

The staffer cited the pushback over having to again wear masks and the reality that some lawmakers were not moved by the testimony from police officers at the select committee hearing as the sources of the new tension.