Huntsman, Manchin Launch 'No Labels' War on Partisanship
GROUP AIMS FOR CROSS-AISLE DISCUSSION, CONGRESSIONAL REFORM
By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff
newser.com
Posted Jan 14, 2013 11:15 AM CST
(NEWSER) – Joe Manchin and Jon Huntsman are reaching across the aisle in a push to trip up partisan politics. They're the leaders of "No Labels," an alliance formed in 2010 that is now seeking congressional reforms to fight the partisan divide in DC. Around a dozen congressmembers are meeting in New York today to launch the new effort, the AP reports. A group of 24 "Problem Solvers"—Democrats, Republicans, and independents from the House andSenate—will meet monthly, and the group hopes to have 75 by the end of the year. Huntsman and Manchin are on a bit of a media blitz:
In the Washington Post, Manchin writes that Washington leaders need "an attitude adjustment" and must recognize "that the letter behind a person’s name does not automatically make them stupid or treasonous." He adds, "With Democrats controlling the Senate and Republicans controlling the House, no one can get everything they want. We will either work across the aisle to fix problems or we will achieve nothing."In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Huntsman says the group is focusing on "things that actually are achievable" this year. Some goals include a five-daywork week for Congress, filibuster reform, and a "no budget, no pay" resolution that would require Congress to pass a budget, on time, before members are paid.Manchin and Huntsman also appeared on CNN and MSNBC today. |
