Progressive lawmakers are seeking to tamp down confusion and explain themselves after their names appeared on a letter this week urging President Biden to consider directly engaging with Russia amid its war in Ukraine.
The letter, signed by 30 House Democrats, landed with a bang on Monday, coming just two weeks before Election Day and at a time when Democrats are generally nervous about the status of continued Ukraine aid if the GOP retakes the House.
The Democratic signatories drew swift backlash from members of both parties, who said the letter undercut Ukraine's efforts to take back territory from Moscow and ignored the Biden administration's strategy of forcing Russia to withdraw its forces.
"The way to end a war? Win it quickly. How is it won quickly? By giving Ukraine the weapons to defeat Russia," tweeted Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).
Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus who signed the letter scrambled to explain themselves. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), one signatory, tweeted that the letter was written in July and "I have no idea why it went out now. Bad timing."
House sources told The Hill's Hanna Trudo on Tuesday that the letter was circulated earlier this summer and the reason for its release so close to election was unclear.
"They waited to get about 30 and released," one source said. "Didn't consider election timing."
Members sought to clarify the circumstances around the letter before Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) ultimately moved to withdraw it on Tuesday afternoon, saying the timing was a mistake.
"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," she said.
The release of the letter came as Biden has acknowledged he's worried about the status of Ukraine aid if Republicans win the House in the November elections.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has recently signaled Republicans would seek to pull the plug on the billions in aid to Ukraine as it battles Russia's attack, with many GOP lawmakers calling for stronger oversight of funding.
"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," Jayapal said.
But Jayapal's efforts to tamp down the backlash has so far failed to quell the uproar, with members lamenting the timing with just two weeks until the midterms.
The initial letter also has circulated in Russia's state-owned media as a sign of discord in the U.S. over continued support for Ukraine.
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