WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Gerald Pfeiffer, 61, (R-OH) announced Monday that his landmark three-day Bipartisan Unity Retreat — billed as “the most important civic gathering since the Constitutional Convention” — drew no attendees after scheduling software placed the event during the House’s two-week spring recess, when all 435 members were in their home districts.

The retreat, held April 14–16 at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Washington, featured a keynote address by Rep. Pfeiffer, four panel discussions moderated by Rep. Pfeiffer, and a closing ceremony led by Rep. Pfeiffer, who was the only person present for all three days. Catering staff confirmed that 84 individual name placards were arranged on tables that remained undisturbed throughout the event.

“We had incredible energy in that room,” Pfeiffer told reporters at a press conference attended by two interns and a lost tourist. “The dialogue was frankly extraordinary. I think people left genuinely changed.”

“The dialogue was frankly extraordinary. I think people left genuinely changed.”

Pfeiffer’s chief of staff, Renata Ochoa, 34, confirmed that the recess schedule had been publicly available since January and acknowledged the office had not cross-referenced it before booking the venue. The event cost an estimated $22,400 in discretionary office funds. A post-event survey was emailed to all 84 registered participants; none responded.

“Honestly, it may have gone better this way,” Ochoa said. “No disagreements.”

Rep. Pfeiffer has announced a follow-up retreat in August, scheduled for the week of the August recess.

At press time, the Marriott confirmed the continental breakfast — 84 untouched croissants — had been quietly donated to a nearby shelter, marking the retreat’s only bipartisan outcome.