<<<THANK SEN. WELCH FOR PUTTING COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY>>> 

John,

On Monday, I sat down to draft this newsletter, thinking I would focus on DeepSeek’s latest AI breakthrough and what it could mean for the U.S. But as the week unfolded, the news kept shifting—one crisis after another. Now, my thoughts are with the 67 lives lost in Wednesday night’s devastating plane crash in Washington. 

Over the last five days, a historic snowstorm buried parts of the South. The President signed sweeping executive orders, including a temporary freeze (then unfreeze) on seemingly all federal loans and grants. Congress passed major legislation and held multiple contentious confirmation hearings for President Trump’s cabinet. A new AI advancement sent shockwaves through the tech world. And, of course, the heartbreaking plane crash in Washington dominated the news cycle.

Moments like this force all of us to decide how we respond to the chaos. And in times like these, there are really only three choices. 

Some people choose to tune out entirely. Political fatigue is real, and many Americans—exhausted by the constant cycle of controversy and crisis—are checking out. News outlets are reporting declining viewership, and for many, the impulse is understandable. But disengaging means leaving the future to be shaped by others. 

Others choose to find someone to blame. We have seen it all week—leaders rushing to assign fault for disasters, crises, and policy failures. It is always easier to point fingers than to take responsibility, but blame does not fix anything. It does not rebuild communities after a flood or prevent the next crisis. 

Then there is the third option: you get to work. 

That is what No Labels is doing. That is what our allies are doing. And that is what leaders like Senator Peter Welch are doing. 

This week, Welch wrote an op-ed about FEMA, pushing back against calls to dismantle the agency while making the case for serious reform. Instead of using FEMA’s failures as a talking point, he is calling for practical changes to make the agency work better. Instead of blaming or retreating, he is looking for solutions. And in an era when it is easy to retreat to partisan corners, he made it clear that he is willing to work with anyone—including the Trump administration—if it means improving disaster response for the American people. 

That is the kind of leadership we need right now. 

So here is our ask: let Senator Welch know that there are people who appreciate his approach. Go to his Facebook page and leave a comment in support. Let him and others in Washington know that there is a real appetite for leaders who think independently, work across the aisle, and stay focused on solutions. 

This week has been a reminder of just how turbulent our times are. But it has also been a reminder that we have choices in how we respond. We are choosing door three. We hope you will too. 

Margaret White 

No Labels 

Don’t Kill FEMA. Fix It.

By Peter Welch

If President Trump wants to come to the table in good faith to reform FEMA’s broken long-term recovery efforts, I’ll work with him. I stand ready to work with Republican and Democratic legislators to help our fellow Americans hammered by natural disasters.

The Hills the Left Will Die On

By Ruy Teixeira

The left isn’t dead yet. But it’s getting there. That’s a shame because the self-identified left played a leading and productive role in the 20th century. The various socialists, social democrats, and radicals that made up this loose aggregation pushed unions and government policy that benefited the working class, helped tame the excesses of capitalism and provided the shock troops for efforts to end discrimination, ensure equal treatment for all, and protect the environment. On all these fronts, the left made important contributions.

Don Davis: This Is How I Won A Trump District

Forbes Newsroom

My message to Democrats and Republicans, hear this. I won in Eastern North Carolina. Don Davis and Donald Trump came through the finish line together, so this is a Davis Trump district. That means to me there was only one mandate. The one mandate was, go serve us. That is what the people said. They want us to tackle issues they talk about at the dinner table. They don’t want us to go to DC and fuss and fight all the time and to feed into a hyper partisan environment. They are tired of all of this. So, the takeaway I would share with anyone is the people matter. The people want us to work for them.

A Return to Common Sense

By Peyton Lofton
New polling and analysis by Ruy Teixeira shows the far left is out of touch with most Americans. But does that mean the public has shifted to the far right? Hardly. Voters want commonsense policies to fight inflation and keep America safe. 

Outsourcing Immigration Enforcement?

By Sam Zickar
Every year, millions of people move across the Americas, driven by conflict, economic hardship, or the hope of a better life. The U.S. has responded by negotiating a web of agreements with neighboring countries to manage migration, regulate asylum claims, and control border flows.

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