House progressives are backtracking on a letter they sent to President Biden asking him to directly negotiate with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus issued an apology and clarification Monday, noting that the bloc wanted to avoid the impression that they supported House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s recent insinuation that a GOP-controlled Congress would discontinue aid to war-battered Ukraine.
“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,” Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal, caucus chairwoman, wrote. “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.”
The letter was reportedly written over the summer but only went live on Monday for reasons that are unknown. Signed by 40 House progressives, it urged Biden to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin directly to strike a diplomatic deal that would cease hostilities. Given the letter’s was released days after McCarthy suggested a Republican House majority would reevaluate Ukrainian aid, many observers pointed out that the progressives seemed more aligned with the foreign policy vision of Republicans than their own leadership.
“I think people are gonna be sitting in a recession and they’re not going to write a blank check to Ukraine. They just won’t do it. . . . It’s not a free blank check…Ukraine is important, but at the same time it can’t be the only thing they do and it can’t be a blank check,” McCarthy said during an interview with Punchbowl News.
Jayapal acknowledged that the public perception of the letter, which was allegedly drafted when the Russian invasion was in early stages, must be that progressives sympathize with “Republicans who seek to pull the plug on American support for President Zelensky and the Ukrainian forces.” She assured Tuesday that “Nothing could be further from the truth. Every war ends with diplomacy, and this one will too after Ukrainian victory.”
While Jayapal took full responsibility for the blunder, several Democrats told Politico that the letter, no matter its intended timing, cost the party and potentially will jeopardize opportunities for her in Democratic leadership. The letter’s release comes after said a GOP-dominated Congress should consider cutting funding to Ukraine as it fights Russia.