July 23, 2018

Young Leaders Network

Is Bipartisan Defense Policy a Thing of the Past?

The personal relationships forged in Congress between Members of different parties have drastically changed in recent years, creating a climate on Capitol Hill where colleagues barely know each other. This has led to deepening divisions on national security, among many other issues facing our country.

By contrast, former senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Ted Stevens (R-AK) were able to become best friends while serving together in the Senate in spite of having conflicting political ideologies. From their close friendship, the Senators were able to pass bipartisan legislation while both serving as Chairman and ranking member on the Defense-appropriations Subcommittee. They were determined to defend the interests of Pacific-based states and locked arms on many occasions to defend the rights of their constituents.

The Daniel K. Inouye Institute, Ted Stevens Foundation, and The John Brademas Center at New York University co-hosted this event as part of the 2018 Young Leaders Network series. Is Bipartisan Defense Policy a Thing of the Past? was a dialogue with Charlie Houy, former Staff Director to Senator Daniel Inouye, and Steve Cortese, former Staff Director to Senator Ted Stevens. This timely discussion focused on how the personal relationship between Senator Inouye and Senator Stevens allowed them to find common ground and work together on promoting defense policy. The discussion was moderated by CNN Politics Digital Reporter, Meagan Vazquez.

This free event was open to all Congressional interns.

Steve Cortese

Steve Cortese

Charlie Houy

Charlie Houy

Meagan Vazquez

Meagan Vazquez

DAniel Inouye Institute

The Daniel K. Inouye Institute was established in 2013 to preserve Senator Inouye's papers and tell his life story; support STEM education, civics learning and international educational-cultural exchanges; and establish a repository of the Asian American/Pacific experience.

Ted Stevens Foundation

Established in 2001, the mission of the Ted Stevens Foundation is to recognize Senator Ted Stevens’ career and honor his legacy of public service by working to ensure a stable and vibrant Alaska for future generations.