Lawmakers salute staffers keeping Capitol Hill afloat: ‘Everything is grit and hard work’

At The Hill’s annual Notable Staffers event on Thursday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers publicly acknowledged the contributions of their aides, highlighting the essential role staffers play in sustaining Capitol Hill operations. The event recognized staffers who were named to this year’s Notable Staffers list, with lawmakers presenting honors and drawing attention to the often-unseen labor that supports legislative activity.

Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), together with Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.), participated in the ceremony to salute their teams. The lawmakers emphasized the practical, day-to-day commitments of staffers, characterizing their work as grounded in perseverance and effort.

The acknowledgments reflected a bipartisan appreciation for the administrative and policy work performed by congressional aides, from managing constituent services to supporting committee and floor duties. By spotlighting staffers across party lines, the event drew attention to the institutional reliance on career and junior staff to keep legislative processes functioning.

Organizers and participants framed the recognition as a reminder that much of Capitol Hill’s functioning depends on steady, behind-the-scenes labor rather than high-profile moments. The public honors at The Hill’s event provided a platform for members to express gratitude to staffers whose contributions are critical to the day-to-day workings of Congress.