No Labels Hails Senators Collins and Manchin for Role in Ending Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- No Labels today hailed Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin—who became honorary co-chairs last November—for playing a lead role in striking the bipartisan agreement to keep the federal government funded through February 8. Manchin and Collins were working with several Senate colleagues through the weekend to reopen the government after it shut down on Friday.

"As both Susan and Joe said this afternoon, the federal government should never have been shut down in the first place and they were both working furiously to prevent it from happening," said No Labels co-chair Joe Lieberman. "But once the shutdown happened, they worked with the urgency the moment demands to end it. Today, Susan and Joe reminded the entire No Labels community why we are so proud to have them as honorary co-chairs."

Last week, Manchin and Collins were engaged in significant negotiations to avert a shutdown. On Thursday, they attended a No Labels-organized bipartisan, bicameral meeting featuring a dozen senators and 30-plus members of the House Problem Solvers Caucus. The members also discussed the outlines of a deal on the Dreamers and border security, with negotiations expected to intensify in the weeks ahead.

Collins and Manchin played a key role in ending the last government shutdown in 2013 as part of an informal "Common Sense Caucus." They reprised a similar role today.

Added Lieberman: "Every American should welcome the bipartisan agreement to end the shutdown. But this only buys us some time. Debates must be resolved soon on the Dreamers, border security and funding levels for our military and other critical domestic priorities. I know Susan and Joe—along with their colleagues in the House Problem Solvers Caucus—will be doing everything in their power to get to 'yes.' The American people should expect nothing less from everyone in Congress."

No Labels is a political reform organization featuring Democrats, Republicans and independents working to bring America's leaders together to solve our nation's toughest problems. No Labels has inspired the creation of the Problem Solvers Caucus—featuring 48 House Democrats and Republicans—committed to working constructively across the aisle to get things done.

SOURCE No Labels

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