As the Supreme Court prepares to announce some of its most politically explosive decisions in decades, two justices from different ideological wings of the court sought to assure Americans Friday that the court is not riven by partisan feuds.

Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett appeared on stage together at the National Governors Association conference in Washington to argue that the Supreme Court’s practice of civil collaboration on contentious issues can be a model for other parts of government and society.

Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor and conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett jointly encouraged the nation’s governors on Friday to emulate the Supreme Court’s collegiality, despite the divisive political climate. 

“I think you can do so much, honestly, by being seen in public with people who otherwise politically disagree with you, to have Republicans and Democrats together, friendships across the aisle,” Barrett said.

Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett spoke about the inner workings of the high court — and the lessons it can teach everyone else about bipartisanship — in a Friday afternoon panel discussion.

During an hourlong session, the Supreme Court stalwarts were asked to speak on how people can disagree better. The topic is part of a theme of the National Governors Association winter meetings, which are being held at a downtown Washington, D.C., hotel.