Turn on the morning news, and there’s no doubt you’re more likely to see politicians pointing fingers and calling each other names than working jointly to solve the major crises of today. As two freshman members of the 118th Congress and veterans of our nation’s military, we believe there is a better path forward for our nation rooted in one common belief: People should come before politics.

We come from different corners of our country with diverse perspectives and states with distinct interests. Still, we share a powerful bond that transcends party lines, rooted in our experiences as military veterans.

We are both proud U.S. Air Force veterans, and our time in service taught us the value of unity and cooperation. There is no room for division in the military because the mission is always critical, and failure is not an option. That same ethos has been the driving force behind our work in Congress.

Bipartisanship is not about compromising our individual values but working toward strengthening our shared goals. In an era of constant political polarization, we have relentlessly committed to finding common ground, not as a talking point or a buzzword but as a philosophy that guides our actions.

This partnership has already yielded 10 bills we have jointly sponsored and championed, spanning issues from supporting our veterans and strengthening our national defense to helping America’s farmers feed the nation and beyond. These achievements could only be realized through our bond and bipartisan collaboration.

Too often, members of Congress have been unable to translate their positive personal relationships into tangible actions for the American people. We are proving that getting things done on a bipartisan basis is not only possible but necessary, especially during conflict. Our message to our colleagues in Congress is clear: Bipartisanship is not an option but a necessity.

We must always remember unity generates strength. America’s future is too important to be left to the rigidity of hyper-partisan polarization. Our mission — to support the military and veterans, to protect our nation, and to serve our constituents — is a mission worth pursuing together with unity as our guiding principle.

Don Davis, a Democrat, represents North Carolina’s 1^st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Zach Nunn, a Republican, represents Iowa’s 3^rd Congressional District in the House.