The silver, overcast skies over Washington D.C. on Friday served as a somber backdrop for the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. At the U.S. Capitol, a gathering of former and current lawmakers convened to mark the milestone, using the occasion not only to memorialize the victims of the deadliest act of terrorism on American soil but to issue a collective plea for the restoration of bipartisan cooperation in an increasingly polarized legislative environment.
The event, hosted by the Association of Former Members of Congress, drew participants back to the very steps where, a quarter-century ago, members of the House and Senate stood in shock and resolve. Among those present were former Representatives Jane Harman (D-Calif.), Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), Tim Roemer (D-Ind.), Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), and Mike Kopetski (D-Ore.), alongside current Representative Glenn F. Ivey (D-Md.).
A Quarter-Century of Reflection
For those who served in Congress during the 107th session, the memory of that Tuesday morning remains vivid. The timeline of the tragedy—starting at 8:46 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center—quickly evolved from a series of confusing reports into a national security crisis that fundamentally altered the role of the federal government.
Jane Harman, recalling the chaotic atmosphere of that day, spoke of the vulnerability the Capitol faced when it was identified as a target for United Airlines Flight 93. Had that aircraft reached its intended destination, the resulting loss of life among the legislative leadership would have triggered an unprecedented constitutional crisis regarding the continuity of government.
“Had this target been hit, many of us were milling outside here, right here,” Harman stated during her address. “There would have been a continuity of government crisis. And it is worth reflecting how lucky we were, in certain bizarre ways, to have avoided that.”
Chronology of the Legislative Response
The days following September 11, 2001, are often cited by political historians as a high-water mark for American legislative unity. The 107th Congress, despite the partisan divisions typical of that era, moved with extraordinary speed to address the nation’s security and economic stabilization.
- September 14, 2001: Congress passes the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), granting the President broad authority to pursue those responsible for the attacks. The vote was nearly unanimous.
- September 21, 2001: The Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act is signed into law to provide emergency relief to the airline industry.
- October 26, 2001: The USA PATRIOT Act is enacted, significantly expanding the investigative powers of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
- November 19, 2001: The Aviation and Transportation Security Act is passed, creating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- November 25, 2002: The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is signed, leading to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the largest government reorganization since the post-World War II era.
These legislative achievements were the result of exhaustive bipartisan negotiation. The 9/11 Commission, which eventually produced the definitive account of the intelligence failures leading up to the attacks, was itself a product of intense cross-party cooperation, ensuring that its findings were viewed as objective rather than politically motivated.
The Erosion of Consensus
Despite the historical precedent of unity, the current political landscape reflects a different reality. Former Representative Tim Roemer, who served as a member of the 9/11 Commission and later as the U.S. Ambassador to India, warned that the current climate of division carries tangible risks for national security.
“When we are divided, when we can’t agree on the facts, we can’t agree on the vulnerabilities, we can’t agree on our defense, and we become a more vulnerable nation as a result,” Roemer remarked. His comments highlight a growing consensus among institutionalists that the performative nature of modern politics—driven by social media and 24-hour cable news—hinders the deliberative process required for effective governance.
Larry Bucshon, who departed Congress in 2025, offered a more optimistic, albeit nuanced, view of the rank-and-file membership. While acknowledging the stridency of the most visible political actors, Bucshon maintained that the vast majority of members continue to prioritize constituent services and pragmatic problem-solving. “Most of the people here on both sides of the aisle really are truly here trying to help their constituents. People want, fundamentally, to work together,” he said.
Data and Security Implications
The reliance on bipartisanship during national crises is supported by structural data. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security consolidated 22 separate federal agencies, a move that would have been logistically and politically impossible without broad buy-in from both the House and Senate.
Analysts note that the "continuity of government" remains a fragile topic. Even 25 years later, as noted in recent congressional briefings, legislative efforts to modernize the process for filling vacancies in the House—should a mass-casualty event occur—remain stalled due to disagreements over the constitutional mechanisms required to do so. This legislative gridlock stands in stark contrast to the rapid action taken in the immediate aftermath of the 2001 attacks.
The Symbolic Power of Unity
The event concluded with a solemn reenactment of the spirit of 2001. As the ceremony drew to a close, the participants gathered on the House steps to sing "God Bless America." The act of holding hands, a scene familiar to those who remember the images of lawmakers singing on those same steps in the immediate wake of the attacks, served as a poignant visual reminder of the goal of national cohesion.
For Derek Kilmer, a Washington Democrat who concluded his service in 2025, the moment was an invitation to rethink the criteria for cooperation. “I think an event like this, where you saw Democrats and Republicans on the House steps singing ‘God Bless America’ and holding hands is a reminder that there are moments we can come together,” Kilmer said. “And it shouldn’t take national crises for that to happen.”
Implications for the Future
The 25th anniversary serves as a pivot point for the American political class. The institutional memory of September 11 is fading as a new generation of lawmakers enters office—individuals for whom the attacks are a historical event rather than a formative experience.
The challenge facing the current Congress is whether they can replicate the bipartisan pragmatism of the post-9/11 era without the catalyst of an immediate, existential threat. Political science research suggests that while national crises temporarily bridge ideological gaps, sustaining such unity requires a conscious commitment to institutional norms.
As the sun emerged from behind the clouds over the Capitol later in the afternoon, the message from the gathering was clear: the security of the nation depends not only on the robust performance of its intelligence and military institutions but on the ability of its elected representatives to find common ground in the service of the republic. The commemoration was not merely a look back at a day of tragedy, but an urgent call to address the vulnerabilities inherent in a house divided.
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