House progressives withdraw Ukraine letter after backlash
House progressives withdraw Ukraine letter after backlash
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House progressives withdraw Ukraine letter after backlash
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). Photo: Photo by Jovelle Tamayo/ for The Washington Post via Getty Images. The Congressional Progressive Caucus on Tuesday announced it is withdrawing a to President Biden calling on him to couple military aid to with a "proactive diplomatic push" to end hostilities with Russia. Why it matters: The letter appeared to indicate that some on the Democratic Party’s left flank were advocating a softening of U.S. policy towards the war in Ukraine, though several members who signed on now say that’s not their position.The letter was signed by 30 lawmakers including some surprising names, such as Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).It was , with the Progressive Caucus concurrently blasting out a . Driving the news: Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, , said the letter was drafted "several months ago" and "unfortunately was released by staff without vetting.""As Chair of the Caucus, I accept responsibility for this," Jayapal wrote, calling the letter a "distraction" because it was conflated with ."Nothing could be further from the truth. Every war ends with diplomacy, and this one will too after Ukrainian victory," Jayapal said. The backdrop: The letter spurred swift rebukes from fellow Democrats, both privately and in public.Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told Tuesday he disagreed with the letter and said the caucus was right to withdraw it, saying the Russia's invasion "has to be resisted.""The suggestion that we make concessions on behalf of Ukraine is presumptuous, out of touch, and would only embolden Putin," Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) an "olive branch to a war criminal who’s losing his war."