A small bloc of independents helped govern a country. It could happen here, too. 

No Labels’ CEO Nancy Jacobson recently laid out a big idea for Elon Musk’s new “America Party”: what if he didn’t just build a new party from scratch, but also helped create a faction in Congress that could break the two-party stranglehold from the inside? 

Jacobson proposed an “America Caucus” comprised of commonsense Republicans and Democrats, along with any America Party candidates Musk can get elected in 2026. “Given the narrow margins in the House and Senate,” she wrote, “a small-sized faction could become kingmakers on Capitol Hill, capable of advancing or blocking legislation. “  

It’s a bold and disruptive idea, but it’s not entirely unprecedented.  

Back in 2016, Ireland tried something similar. A handful of independent candidates ran for parliament with no party labels, no shared platform, and no coordinated campaign. But they had a plan: if elected, they’d team up. 

And they did. They called themselves the Independent Alliance.  

They won six seats in Ireland’s 158-seat parliament. That’s a small piece of the pie, but it was enough to deny any other party a majority. The independents ended up teaming up with the center-right Fine Gael party to form a government; in return, they got cabinet roles, influence, and a real seat at the table. 

The Alliance didn’t vote as a block on everything, but they had each other’s backs on key issues and negotiated together as a group. They played a pivotal role in infrastructure investments, healthcare, education, and government transparency.  

Sadly, the Alliance faded after a few successful years. But they proved a point: independents don’t have to act alone. With the right structure, and the right moment, they can change the country’s course.  

That’s what makes the idea of an America Caucus so compelling. It doesn’t require a ballot access effort or a presidential campaign. It just needs a handful of leaders willing to work together, and outside support to help them stay independent. 

We already know there are people in Congress who want to operate outside the party lines. No Labels talks to them every day. What they need is some backup, and a plan. 

Ireland showed what that can look like. Now it’s America’s turn.