Celebrating Bipartisan Work in Congress
On Thursday, four members of Congress highlighted the bipartisan efforts of their staff during the Hill’s third annual notable staff event.
Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), along with Representatives James Comer (D-KY), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) acknowledged their teams’ contributions in a panel session led by Julia Manchester of Hill. Each lawmaker recognized their top staff: Barrasso’s staff director, Jake Greenberg; Comer’s Chief Attorney for the House Oversight Committee; Gomez’s key staff, and Rankin’s main counsel.
Moreover, they underscored that much of the work done behind the scenes is fundamentally bipartisan. Raskin emphasized that lawmakers should represent not only their party but also everyone in their districts, stating that representation extends to the whole state and nation.
“Whether it’s Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or education loans, we’ll stand up for you,” he said, adding that it doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican, Green, or Libertarian. He wanted to reaffirm that if you live within his district, they will advocate for you.
Barrasso echoed this sentiment, saying that staff from both parties aim to “keep the government moving forward,” even amidst what he described as the “politics of performance” in Capitol Hill. The Wyoming Republican noted the dedication among staff to ensure the country operates effectively. Gomez, recalling his early internship with a Republican official, insisted that people on the other side aren’t “our enemies.”
“Sure, we’re in a bit of a battle, but that’s okay,” Gomez explained. “It’s like a dysfunctional family; understanding how to keep the whole family together is what matters most.”
Comer specifically mentioned the collaboration between his committee staff and the ranking member, as well as his previous work with Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). He pointed out the bipartisan efforts in postal reform and an investigation involving Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers.
Ultimately, Comer stated that his goal in Congress isn’t just to deliver results for Americans but to “lower the temperature” of political discourse. He believes the public is eager for Congress to return to a more civilized process. “I think there’s this demand from the American people for Congress to focus on consensus-building,” he remarked.
