Political historian Joanne Freeman and Jesse Mermell, founder and president of deWit Impact Group, shared their concerns on Greater Boston.

Freeman said the ultimate way to "twist" Congress is with the rules package. She noted those rules control how lawmakers interact on the floor, and we have seen those rules twisted or violated throughout history to support a political agenda.

"It would be hard to exaggerate the degree to which rules can be weapons in Congress if they're deployed the right way," she said.