Show the Way, Congress

“It pains me that terrorists are seeing us react to everything,� said GOP Rep. Christopher Shays of Connecticut. Us, too. The U.S. House of Representatives hastily--some might say fearfully--shut down Wednesday for five entire days over anthrax fears. The Senate, where some staff members were actually exposed to anthrax, was tempted to close but decided to continue business. The Senate’s decision to press on was worthy. The House move wasn’t.

With all Americans being asked to return to something resembling normalcy in defiance of the Sept. 11 terror, it’s distressing to watch this unplanned photo op as 435 House members run away so quickly. Yes, the House is typically in session only three days a week anyway. But no place has a brighter light shining on it now than our nation’s Capitol and capital, which set our agenda for discussion. Never mind U.S. allies and the globe, Americans are looking all around for role models as we adjust to this new war with an enemy that has no uniforms, no front lines and no need for military victories. All that terrorism needs for victory is panic, whose spores are just as invisible as anthrax and maybe more lethal.

What was it President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in 1933 on that same Capitol Hill about the only thing we have to fear? He was talking about another invisible enemy, the Great Depression. But his truth stands today because there is no antibiotic for fear except courage.

We’re not minimizing the dangers of public, or private, life these days. Public servants, elected and hired, make sacrifices and endure some danger. One of those hijacked airliners might have been headed for Congress. But let’s remember a few things: Maybe six of 285 million Americans have contracted anthrax. Sadly, one died. Thousands die yearly from flu. There have been about 30 confirmed cases of anthrax exposure among Capitol Hill employees. Yes, thoroughly check and decontaminate congressional offices. Yes, treat anyone who was exposed and secure the mail. But paralyze the House of Representatives over anthrax fears? No.

Congress is an important symbol, and the House speaker comes after the vice president in presidential succession. Somehow during the Civil War, Congress managed to meet resolutely even with enemy uniforms and real battle lines just down the road. There was no TV then, so Americans could not be inspired--or frightened--by government’s moment-to-moment responses. But there is today. It’s amazing, when it comes to partisan pronouncements, how sure and synchronized the nation’s diverse politicians can be. Let’s see the same disciplined leadership now.

In many ways Capitol Hill is like a small town. The anthrax scare sent that community into paroxysms of rumors, gossip and undisciplined misinformation. Maybe its leaders can spend their days off developing plans for coordinated communications and for demonstrations of inspiring leadership in future emergencies. A lot of out-of-towners are watching and listening.