Across the Aisle: How Hill Staff Keep Bipartisanship Alive

Inside the effort to find common ground on Capitol Hill, from the teams of Reps. Bacon and Houlahan.

At a time when partisanship too often defines Washington’s public image, there exists a refreshing counter-narrative: a quiet, behind the scenes, and powerful culture of collaboration that is alive — from top lawmakers down to their staff.

As part of our Across the Aisle event on Capitol Hill on April 29th, Business for America hosted a conversation featuring congressional staffers from the offices of U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA). Both representatives are leaders in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and military veterans, with a strong commitment to service and cross-partisan collaboration. Their message was clear: bipartisan cooperation is not only possible — it’s essential, and it’s happening more often than most Americans realize.

Trust Is the Foundation

“If you want to get things done, you have to build trust,” Mark Dreiling, chief of staff for Congressman Bacon emphasized. “Sometimes it’s about temperament, sometimes it’s about the issues — but always, it starts with trust.”

That trust is built through relationships among members, often forged over years of working together or shared experiences, not just at the member level, but staff-to-staff. Whether co-writing legislation or serving on bipartisan panels like the House Armed Services Committee’s Military Quality of Life Panel, these staffers have found common cause through a shared commitment to service and problem-solving.

Jack Leighninger, legislative aide to Congresswoman Houlahan, noted “You need trust, and that comes from familiarity and shared experiences. Whether it’s travel, a joint bill, or just time in the room together — it matters.”

The Military Mindset

Both panelists pointed to their bosses’ military backgrounds as a key influence on how they approach their work. “In the military, the mission always comes first,” Mark said. “You work with all kinds of people — you don’t get to choose your team. That mindset carries over.” Jack added, “Our bosses both served in the Air Force, and that experience definitely influences their bipartisan approach… They built a really close relationship working together on the Military Quality of Life Panel — eight months of joint effort, and it made a big difference.”

That spirit of mission-focused collaboration has helped them navigate high-stakes legislation like the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has passed for 60 consecutive years thanks to its bipartisan roots.

The Hidden Architecture of Cooperation

Much of the work that fosters bipartisanship happens below the radar. The Building Civic Bridges Act, for instance, draws on lessons from USAID’s overseas democracy work to help American communities address division at home. Parental leave expansion in the NDAA was another example of a policy where political foes found common ground and got real results.

“Increasing parental leave wasn’t a partisan issue,” Jack noted. “It was good for health, good for families, good for readiness. We worked with the administration, with the Senate, across the board.”

Mark added, “I think despite what you might expect to see on Twitter and online, there actually is a strong appetite for bipartisan collaboration. There are a lot of members who come here and just want to get things done.”

Changing the Culture from the Inside

Institutional change matters too. Both staffers acknowledged that congressional modernization efforts — like increasing staff pay and improving workplace conditions — have made it easier to recruit and retain talent on the Hill. Longevity among staff, they noted, is a key ingredient in building the trust that fuels bipartisan cooperation.

They also highlighted the loss of DC’s old, relationship-rich culture. “Members used to live here. Their kids went to school together. Now it’s fly-in, fly-out. You lose a lot of that organic relationship-building.” Mark reflected.

A Role for Business

The conversation wasn’t limited to the Hill. Both speakers stressed the importance of business engagement as a voice for stability and civic leadership.

“When businesses came to us about the Electoral Count Reform Act, they weren’t pushing a partisan line,” Jack said. “They were advocating for democratic stability. That matters.”

Mark added, “I believe businesses play a key role. Every single day I get calls from people about issues like tariffs, DOGE cuts, and electoral change. Every business in this country has a vested interest in stability, efficiency, and responsibility.”

More Handshakes

The panel closed with a reminder that civility is a strategic asset. “You get a lot further in life with an outstretched hand than a clenched fist,” Mark said with a smile.

In a polarized political climate, these staffers are proving that collaboration is not only alive — it’s essential. Their work reminds us that restoring common ground is not a pipe dream; it’s a daily practice.

Business has a vital role to play in bridging divides and strengthening our democracy. Let’s lead by example — finding common ground and driving civic progress together. Learn more at bfa.us.