Poli Alert Political & Civics
Related Articles
The House Congressional Progressive Caucus formally withdrew a letter Tuesday that had been sent the day before requesting President Joe Biden seek direct negotiations with Russia over the war in Ukraine.
The letter, which 30 House Democrats signed, urged Biden “to pair the military and economic support the United States has provided to Ukraine with a proactive diplomatic push, redoubling efforts to seek a realistic framework for a ceasefire.”
The letter was instantly met with criticism from within the party, prompting caucus Chair U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), to initially clarify the letter with a statement later Monday declaring an “unequivocal commitment to supporting Ukraine in their fight for their democracy.”
That was followed by Tuesday’s full retraction, in which she said it had been “released by staff without vetting.”
“Because of the timing, our message is being conflated by some as being equivalent to the recent statement by Republican Leader McCarthy threatening an end to aid to Ukraine if Republicans take over,” said Rep. Jayapal. “The proximity of these statements created the unfortunate appearance that Democrats, who have strongly and unanimously supported and voted for every package of military, strategic, and economic assistance to the Ukrainian people, are somehow aligned with Republicans who seek to pull the plug on American support for President Zelensky and the Ukrainian forces.”
It appears, however, that the letter was originally drafted in July. One of those who signed it then, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), told CNN he found the timing of the letter’s release to be “puzzling,” adding that it “didn’t make much sense” to release it now.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) tweeted that it was “frustrating” such letters would be circulated months after being signed, when circumstances have changed. “Once you sign on to a letter, it’s up to the original drafters and unfortunately not all of them will keep folks updated,” she said. “That’s why some of us don’t sign on to letters without direct insight into when or how it will be released.
To date, the Biden administration has insisted that Ukraine must take the lead on negotiations with Russia, which illegally invaded the sovereign nation in February, seizing territory, killing civilians and engaging in repeated human rights violations that have initiated international war crime investigations.
