“We fought hard for our positions. I don’t want to be nostalgic here. We voted against each other all the time, and party lines held most of the time. But those relationships, that trust that we built, meant that we came at each debate assuming the best in one another and not the worst.”

He added, “And we didn’t call each other idiots or fascists who were trying to destroy America. Because then we’d have to explain why we were playing poker or having a drink with an idiot or a fascist who was trying to destroy America.”

Despite Obama’s message, there were times when partisan divisions were on full display in the House chamber. For example, Democrats stood and cheered when he mentioned the importance of collective bargaining rights, as did Republicans when he mentioned redistricting reform.

Obama acknowledged his disappointment that partisan discord has gotten worse during his presidency and, hinting at his post-presidential plans, said this work “will be a focus of mine over the course of this year and beyond.”