Former House members stress bipartisanship at 9/11 commemoration
Former Rep. Jane Harman recalled standing on the Capitol steps 25 years ago after the terrorist attacks, noting that the Capitol was a potential target. She and other former lawmakers, including Tim Roemer, emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation to address national security threats, citing the creation of the 9/11 Commission, TSA, and DHS. The event concluded with singing 'God Bless America' on the House steps.
The event, organized by the Association of Former Members of Congress, drew lawmakers from both parties including Mike Kopetski, Charlie Dent, and Susan Brooks. A bell from the Capitol Police alert system sounded at 8:46 a.m., matching the moment the first hijacked plane struck the North Tower, prompting a campus-wide moment of silence.
Harman noted that Flight 93's crash in Pennsylvania prevented a direct strike on the Capitol, where many members had been gathered outside. Roemer, who later served as ambassador to India, argued that partisan disagreement over facts and vulnerabilities weakens national defense. Bucshon, who left Congress in 2025, distinguished between visible partisan feuds and the cooperative instincts of rank-and-file members.
This commemoration may serve as a reminder of how national crises can temporarily bridge partisan divides, though the article itself acknowledges that such unity often fades. The event could influence public perception by contrasting the cooperative legislative achievements of the post-9/11 era with today's polarized climate. Lawmakers, former and current, may draw lessons about defense cooperation, while citizens observing the ceremony might reflect on whether bipartisanship remains achievable without a triggering crisis. The emphasis on rank-and-file cooperation could also counter narratives of perpetual gridlock, though its long-term impact on actual policy remains uncertain.