House Dems in No Labels-allied caucus are livid with No Labels

The missive was not well received by Schneider, who is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus that No Labels helped start on the Hill.

“The No Labels attacks are the kind of division the country needs least right now, and it’s a betrayal of every moderate and every problem-solver in Congress,” Schneider said in a statement to POLITICO. “I helped form the Problem Solvers Caucus six years ago to walk across the aisle and find common ground, not to abandon my principles. I’m as attached today as I I have always stood for principles that reflect the values ​​and priorities of my district, and to walk across the aisle for the good of our country.

Schneider was soon joined by other members of the Problem Solvers Caucus in berating No Labels for attacking one of their own and pushing a unity ticket.

“No Labels is wasting time, energy and money on a bizarre effort that confuses and divides voters, and has one obvious outcome – to re-elect Donald Trump as President,” said Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D- Go.) In a statement. “Now the organization has decided to go one step further and attack a decent, respected and hardworking member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus for the apparent sin of calling them out on their bogus plan.”

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said in an interview that the attack on Schneider was “in bad taste” and went “against the very principles that are certainly worth pursuing, which is a respectful disagreement”. He added that the move against Schneider troubled the caucus.

“I speak on behalf of most of my colleagues on both sides of the Problem Solvers Caucus aisle that we believe deeply in mission and are grateful to have created space for thoughtful dialogue at a time when we we need, but are disappointed with, this initiative against Brad Schneider more than ever,” he said.

Despite anger over the attacks on Schneider, neither Phillips nor his offended fellow Problem Solvers Caucus members said they would quit the caucus. When asked if he had raised his concerns with No Labels or its co-founder and president Nancy Jacobson, Phillips declined to share private conversations.

The Problem Solvers Caucus is currently co-chaired by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (DN.J.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). A spokesperson for Fitzpatrick did not respond to a request for comment, but Gottheimer said in a statement that he opposes No Labels’ 2024 efforts.

“Like Brad, this is not an effort that I am personally involved in or support,” he said. “I also believe that constructive conversations are the best way to solve problems and resolve disagreements – not personal attacks.”

No Labels championed its message to voters in Schneider’s constituency.

“Two-thirds of Americans don’t want a 2020 election rematch and No Labels is the only organization responding to what they want, which is more voice and choice in our political process. “, said Margaret White, co-executive director of No Labels. said in a statement. “Outside the Washington bubble, No Labels’ 2024 presidential insurance plan strikes a chord and we will continue to work to gain ballot access in states across the country. The common-sense American majority is waking up and ready to be heard.

No Labels said it has raised or received pledges of tens of millions of dollars for its “unity” ticket which it plans to run next year if it deems the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates too extreme. The group insisted it would shut down the company if it looked like it would become a “spoiler” and result in Trump’s election. But the group’s effort has also been strongly rejected by the moderate Democratic group Third Way, which says it is precisely about to play that spoiler role.

No Labels aggressively pushed back against its critics. And his decision to sue Schneider underscores how singularly focused he has been on his 2024 campaign business over all other duties, including building alliances on the Hill.

In the message to Schneider District voters, the group suggested a sample email that recipients could send to Schneider’s office. A Schneider spokesman said late Thursday afternoon that only eight form letters had been sent to the office.

The pushback from some of No Labels’ natural allies adds to the recent turmoil the band has faced. It lost its chief communications adviser Mark Halperin in early spring and was rocked by internal staff unrest.