WHY NO LABELS?
There is no group in America doing what No Labels does. We've created a rebellious but constructive third force in American government that is finally poised to break the gridlock and dysfunction that is destroying our democracy.
For too many Americans, politics has become a battle of partisan and tribal identity, where compromise is a weakness and the only acceptable outcome is total destruction of the other side. We’re experiencing the kind of political violence and unrest we have not seen in over 50 years.
For too many Americans, politics has become a battle of partisan and tribal identity, where compromise is a weakness and the only acceptable outcome is total destruction of the other side. We’re experiencing the kind of political violence and unrest we have not seen in over 50 years.
At No Labels we believe the root of so much of the anger in our politics is simple: Year after year, our leaders have failed to work together to solve the problems that matter to us and to secure the freedoms and opportunities granted to us in our Constitution.
This isn't just a nuisance to most Americans. It’s an outrage. America is mired in a pandemic that threatens our lives and livelihoods. We have veterans who can’t get good health care and children stuck in failing schools. We are racking up debts our kids and grandkids will never be able to repay. We have adversaries like China and Russia working every day to make America weaker abroad and to sow divisions at home.
It's time for Americans to finally push back against the carnival barkers on both sides and lift up the pragmatic leaders willing to put country before party and do what it takes to deliver for the American people.
America has endured as the world’s greatest democracy for almost 250 years through trials and tribulations much tougher than those we face today.
But our current political situation is not sustainable and the dysfunction is directly threatening the well-being of the American people.
As our parties and culture have become more polarized and our politics more partisan, the great American majority—which desires cooperation and problem solving from our leaders—has been left with few good choices.
Today, the dominant forces in both political tribes speak the language of division and resentment, while offering policies dictated by ideology and identity politics rather than common sense.
This moment demands leaders—Democrats, Republicans, and independents—willing to declare their freedom from the tired orthodoxies that are ruining our politics and most importantly, our country.
This does not mean leaders retreating into tepid moderation or liberals and conservatives abandoning their deeply held principles or their chosen political party.
Instead, it requires American leaders and citizens alike to recommit to the fundamental values that have historically united Americans and provided a common understanding of who we are and where we hope to go.
OUR THEORY
OF CHANGE
Building a
Third Force
In 2010, No Labels was born. It was the aftermath of the most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression, a moment when America desperately needed our elected leaders to come together. Instead, they were drifting even further apart.
1
The U.S. Congress had become an imperial Congress, where the top party leaders in the House and Senate dictated the agenda, and often completely shut out committees and rank and file members from shaping legislation.
2
Party leaders often seemed more interested in “campaigning” on problems to maintain or get back their majority, than actually solving them.
3
Congressional party leaders depended on the most organized and partisan members (e.g. Freedom Caucus, Progressive Caucus) to stay in power.
4
Changing the status quo required a powerful bipartisan coalition of House and Senate members capable of working with leadership to pass legislation when they are willing and to challenge them and stake out a different bipartisan vision, when they are not.
5
If No Labels could facilitate the grassroots citizen and fundraising support necessary to help elect and elevate Problem Solvers in the House and the Senate, ultimately we can empower them to push back on the extremes and when necessary, their own leadership, and push forward bipartisan solutions to America’s toughest problems.
WHAT SUCCESS
LOOKS LIKE IN D.C.
The two biggest pieces of legislation in the past decade—the 2010 Affordable Care Act and the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—were both passed on party-line votes. This has rarely happened in American history, because our elected leaders usually understood ramming through huge societal changes with little to no buy in from the minority party was a recipe for endless discord and division.
The debates were often tough and passions ran hot but in the end, America’s greatest leaders knew they were elected to do job: To pass laws and make changes that can make America just a little better tomorrow than it is today. Almost every landmark achievement in the 20th century passed this way.
1935
Creation of Social Security
1956
National Interstate and Defense Highways Act
1964
Civil Rights Act
1964
Creation of Medicare
1965
Voting Rights Act
1970
Creation of Environmental Protection Agency
1983
Reform to Prevent Insolvency of Social Security
1986
Comprehensive Tax Reform
1996
Welfare Reform
1997
Balanced Budget Act
THE PROBLEM
SOLVERS
CAUCUS
THE PROBLEM
SOLVERS
CAUCUS
The Problem Solvers Caucus features 58 U.S. House members—evenly divided between the parties—committed to forging cooperation on key issues. Although the creation of the Problem Solvers Caucus was inspired by No Labels, the group operates as an independent member-driven Caucus which sets its rules, standards and priorities.
A Revolutionary
Idea: The Bicameral
So much as we had in the House, No Labels began a focused effort to bring together a bipartisan group of senators. We now have a group of 8 Senate partners who are increasingly meeting and working with one another. The senators are: Joe Manchin (WV), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), Jacky Rosen (NV), Angus King (ME), Susan Collins (ME), Bill Cassidy (LA), John Cornyn (TX), Todd Young (IN) and Lisa Murkowski (AK).
Fast forward to today, and No Labels’ bicamerals—which are now conducted monthly via ZOOM—have become much more than a meeting. They’ve become the place where an entirely new approach to governance is being born. A place where rank-and-file members, frustrated by the breakdown of regular order and the refusal of their own leaders to compromise, are taking the initiative to forge their own solutions. At the outset of 2021, House and Senate members have paired off into working groups on issues ranging from small business and immigration to healthcare and debt/deficits, with the aim of developing bipartisan proposals in much the same way they did with the landmark COVID-19 they passed at the end of December 2020.
IDEAS
IDEAS
The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Election
Policy Playbook for America’s Next President
Beyond Redistricting and Campaign Finance: Six Bold Ideas to Rebuild our Democracy
The Speaker Project
Make Congress Work
Make Government Work
Make The Presidency Work
