[Politics] ‘People are furious’: Jayapal withdraws letter on Ukraine policy amid Democratic anger

[Amaterasu イタチ]

 

A House progressive leader abruptly withdrew a letter pushing the Biden administration to pursue diplomacy in Russia’s war with Ukraine, an about-face following furious internal backlash from Democrats who felt blindsided by the move just two weeks before the November midterms.

The move by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, came after she released a letter – initially signed in June – from 30 liberals calling for more diplomacy, a move that appeared to undercut their party’s resolute support for Ukraine. Releasing the letter this week was not endorsed by most of the members, and some said they would not sign it now given how the war has turned in recent days.

After Democratic fury began to emerge publicly, Jayapal contended the letter was released by staff without proper vetting and said it improperly conflated her caucus’ position with GOP divisions over providing more aid to Ukraine aid, which Democrats back. She withdrew the letter after the embarrassing intra-party feud.

“The Congressional Progressive Caucus hereby withdraws its recent letter to the White House regarding Ukraine,” Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington state, said in a statement. “The letter was drafted several months ago, but unfortunately was released by staff without vetting. As Chair of the Caucus, I accept responsibility for this.”

The public reversal comes amid a backlash from Democrats who criticized the timing of the letter, which was sent on Monday.

“People are furious – especially front-liners,” said one senior House Democrat ahead of the letter being withdrawn, referring to the most vulnerable members at risk of losing their seats in the November 8 midterms.Democrats argue that the ill-timed letter undercut their party’s position showing resolute support for Ukraine – at a time when it’s Republicans who are sparring about whether to approve more U.S. aid to Ukraine. Moreover, several Democratic members said they signed onto this letter months ago and were caught off-guard when Jayapal’s office sent the letter out on Monday with their names on it. Some said they wouldn’t sign it again.

“Timing in diplomacy is everything,” said California Rep. Sara Jacobs, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus that Jayapal leads. “I signed this letter on June 30, but a lot has changed since then. I wouldn’t sign it today.”

Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan, a former leader of the progressive caucus who signed the letter in July, told CNN he found it “puzzling” it was sent out this week after he signed it this summer and added:” “I would not support it being released now.” Releasing it now, he said, “didn’t make much sense.”

The letter, signed by Jacobs and 29 other Democrats, praised President Joe Biden’s efforts supporting Ukraine while avoiding direct US involvement on the ground – but they suggested a more forceful attempt at bringing the war to an end through diplomacy is necessary to prevent a long and slogging conflict.

 

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