Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee boycotted a subcommittee hearing Wednesday, in a sign that the panel's partisan clashes during the impeachment inquiry are festering even after that chapter has come to a close.

In a letter explaining their decision to skip the hearing, Republicans blasted Democrats for not examining the issue of surveillance abuse after Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report detailing significant abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by intelligence community officials. The abuses were related to wiretap applications for former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

“Despite the seriousness of these issues and our clear jurisdiction, you have failed to hold a single briefing or hearing on this matter,” the Republicans wrote.

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The letter was signed by Rep. Devin Nunes Devin Gerald NunesSunday shows preview: With less than two months to go, race for the White House heats up Sunday shows preview: Republicans gear up for national convention, USPS debate continues in Washington Sunday shows preview: White House, congressional Democrats unable to breach stalemate over coronavirus relief MORE (R-Calif.), the ranking member of the full panel, and other GOP members.

“Until the Committee prioritizes oversight activities related to urgent and critical concerns, Republican Members cannot support distractions from our core responsibilities,” it stated.

Rep. Jim Himes James (Jim) Andres HimesMany Democrats want John Bolton's testimony, but Pelosi stays mum SEC's Clayton demurs on firing of Manhattan US attorney he would replace Democrats face tough questions with Bolton MORE (D-Conn.) announced the GOP boycott in his opening remarks, criticizing it in the process.

He said the subcommittee’s ranking member, Rep. Chris Stewart Christopher (Chris) Douglas StewartAtlanta Wendy's 911 call the night of Rayshard Brooks's death released Tyler Perry offers to pay for funeral of Rayshard Brooks Current, former NHL players form diversity coalition to fight intolerance in hockey MORE (R-Utah), and other Republicans had sent him their letter earlier Wednesday describing the decision.

Himes also said that while the letter protested the subcommittee hearing's focus on the intelligence community’s use of emerging technologies, he had previously been told the boycott was about prior grievances.

“I received a letter this morning explaining the Republican absence from this hearing, which is as wrongheaded as it is mendacious," said Himes, the chairman of the Intelligence Subcommittee on Strategic Technologies and Advanced Research.

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"It basically says that the Republicans disagree with the priorities of this subcommittee.”

Himes said he had asked Stewart last week what was going on with Republicans ahead of the hearing.

He said Stewart told him that Nunes felt strongly that the GOP committee members should not engage in committee work “because of some perceived grievance with the impeachment investigation.”

Himes also described the boycott as a publicity stunt and an example of trolling.

Tensions on the Intelligence panel were sky-high during the impeachment proceedings.

Republicans have accused Democrats on the Intelligence panel of crossing the line by targeting their staff during the impeachment inquiry, including by publishing a staffer's phone records in their investigative report. Republicans have also accused Democrats of selectively leaking information.

Democrats say their staffers have also been targets, with Republicans claiming and publicly naming staffers who had contacts with the whistleblower who first brought forward the complaint that President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE sought to pressure Ukraine to open two politically motivated investigations to benefit his 2020 reelection chances.

Himes acknowledged the boycott marks a new phase in the partisan divide of the panel.

“This is a sad and dangerous moment even as this committee was the epicenter of the polarizing impeachment debate. The committee has always succeeded in compartmentalizing the emotions and arguments of impeachment and the critical work we do on behalf of the American people,” Himes said.

“Today that Rubicon has been crossed.”