January, 2026
Washington — Wanted: Four Republican U.S. senators who will put their country and the institution of the Senate ahead of partisanship by changing their affiliation to Independent. Also wanted: Four Democratic senators who will simultaneously do the same, to form a new independent caucus of eight, so no party has a majority and Senate actions for the remainder of this term will be bipartisan or nonpartisan.
The purpose of the caucus will be to protect Article I powers from being eroded or destroyed by Article II powers, in the best tradition of our constitutional checks and balances. The caucus of eight (or more) will work to make certain that the Senate's legislative exercise over the power of the purse, advice and consent in nominations, declaration of war, and ratification of treaties is not ceded to the executive. With the successful efforts of this caucus, no longer will party be the instrument of dissolution of Congress. No party will have the votes on its own.
An initial question will be whether members of what might be called the "Article I Caucus" retain their current committee assignments. Precedent suggests they do, but if they don't it is not crucial to caucus's success. Those who join may be leaving the Senate anyway and are not looking to build up committee seniority.
The public at large will applaud senators who put patriotism and allegiance to the Constitution ahead of party. This is not a close call. The same process could be used in the House, to the same approbation.
Those who follow individual senators and representatives closely will know that there are likely at least the requisite number of both Republicans and Democrats who would be willing to change their voter registration to independent and join an Article I Caucus — some with relish out of frustration with their parties; some out of pure patriotism; some because they need redemption from past actions that they have not yet atoned for.
Article I's fate in 2026 must not be a repeat of 2025. This is a way to make sure that it won't be.
