In June 2016, Pew Research Center released a study, Partisanship and Political Animosity in 2016. It found that Republicans and Democrats in Congress have more mutual animosity and distrust now than any time previously recorded since 1992.

Opinions of those across the aisle, however, extend beyond political quarrels of a professional nature. Sixty-five percent of members of Congress believe that the affiliation to an opposing party is reason enough to pass a character judgement. The Legislative Branch has misconstrued partisan posturing for contempt, and the result is hurting the already agitated American people.