The bitter partisanship of modern-day politics affects virtually every corner of Capitol Hill, and staffers are hardly immune. But top congressional aides say they’ve found ways to cut through the toxicity and nurture relationships across the aisle.

Happy hour gatherings, extended travels outside the Beltway, committee work, and just the shared experience of being in the pressure cooker of the Capitol together — all are unifying forces that have helped to build bridges, foster civility and defuse the tensions that frequently define contemporary Washington, according to aides of both parties.

“At the end of the day, it's really hard to get a job on the Hill, it's really hard to get your foot in the door, so I have respect for folks that really worked hard to get here, and to work here and

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