Senate Dems huddle on how Biden could be hurt by a third-party candidate

Senate Democrat staffers will be briefed this month by two groups that are looking to protect President Biden from a third-party presidential run that could sap energy from Democrats.

Liberal advocacy groups MoveOn and Third Way will meet with the chiefs of staff to Democratic senators on July 27 to discuss the risks of a potentially well-funded third-party presidential run, Third Way confirmed to Fox News Digital. The story was first reported Monday by Politico.

WH AIDES CLAIM BIDEN PRONE TO OUTBURSTS, ‘ANGRY INTERROGATIONS’ BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: ‘GET THE F—K OUT’

Politico reported that a spokesperson for MoveOn said the group is working with several Democrat groups to "stop No Labels from running a third-party ticket."

A Democratic Senate staffer familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that the chief of staff for each Democratic senator was invited.

The third-party candidate push is spearheaded by centrist group No Labels, which has touted a $70 million plan to back a "unity" candidate. The group has established previous success and influence in Congress, where it founded the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. But its push for a third-party candidate in 2024 has led to pushback from Democrats in the caucus.

"No Labels is wasting time, energy and money on a bizarre effort that confuses and divides voters, and has one obvious outcome – re-electing Donald Trump as president," Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., said in May.

BIDEN’S HISTORY OF BERATING, SCOLDING AND INSULTING REPORTERS, FROM ‘STUPID SON OF A B----’ TO ‘GET EDUCATED’

Speculations of a possible third-party presidential run have focused on Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who has established himself as a leading moderate Democrat and is up for a tough re-election bid in 2024. Manchin has repeatedly declined to rule out a presidential run.

A Manchin staffer told Fox News Digital his chief of staff plans to attend the meeting with MoveOn and Third Way if his schedule permits.

INSIDE THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE, AIDES REPORTEDLY KNOCK PRESIDENT FOR EATING ‘LIKE A CHILD’

The possibility of a well-funded third-party challenger to Biden's re-election campaign comes amid a wave of concerning polls for the president. Biden had a 44% approval rate and 55% disapproval rate in Fox News' June poll.

Biden faces a primary challenge from Robert Kennedy, Jr., who several polls show with support in the 10-20% range.

Senate to receive classified brief on AI threats and national security, Schumer says

All 100 senators are invited to sit for a classified briefing this week on artificial intelligence and its effects on global and national security, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced in a weekend letter to colleagues.

Schumer pointed out that it will be the first session of its kind, as Congress works to get ahead of the rapidly advancing technology.

"This Tuesday we will have a classified all-senators briefing with the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community to learn how we’re using and investing in AI to protect our national security and learn what our adversaries are doing in AI," the New York Democrat wrote on Sunday.

LAWMAKERS RATTLED BY AI-LAUNCHED NUKES, DEMAND ‘HUMAN CONTROL’ IN DEFENSE POLICY BILL

"This will be the first-ever classified all-senators briefing on national security and AI," he wrote.

AI has become a hot topic on Capitol Hill in recent months. Concerns about falling behind other countries and what kind of regulatory barriers to impose on it has spurred a flurry of legislation and hearings across both the House and Senate.

CONGRESS PUSHES AGGRESSIVE USE OF AI IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SAYS AI 'UNDER-UTILIZED' IN AGENCIES

Schumer had announced months ago that he would work to put together a regulatory framework for AI aimed at protecting online user privacy while not stifling innovation.

He also convened a bipartisan group of four senators including himself and Sens. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Todd Young of Indiana and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico to work out a comprehensive plan on how to handle AI.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS FIRST-EVER MEETING ON AI AS CONCERNS ABOUT RISK TO PEACE GROW

That group set up a series of AI learning sessions, including Tuesday’s classified briefing, and Schumer promised more would be in the pipeline.

"Our job as legislators is to listen to the experts and learn as much as we can so we can translate these ideas into legislative action, with our committees continuing to serve as the key drivers. I look forward to hearing from these experts and I encourage you to attend," Schumer wrote in his letter.

Other AI efforts in Congress include a bill to prevent AI from being able to autonomously launch a weapons attack, as well as a flurry of legislation to establish various regulatory and advisory panels on the advanced technology.

Schumer's announcement of AI information sessions follows a similar effort by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to get the lower chamber up to speed on the sector.

About Us

Virtus (virtue, valor, excellence, courage, character, and worth)

Vincit (conquers, triumphs, and wins)