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Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is reportedly being pressured to withdraw her name from consideration for the role of US ambassador to the United Nations due to her party’s razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives.
According to CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs, the New York Republican could announce she intends to remain in Congress as soon as late Thursday.
Jacobs reported:
Scoop: Elise Stefanik’s nomination for UN ambassador is in jeopardy as pressure mounts for her to back away from the UN ambassador position, partly because Republicans hold a small majority in the US House. There are discussions being held this morning about whether she should pull her nomination as soon as today, sources told [CBS producer Gabrielle Ake] and me.
Jacobs later reported:
Multiple sources told CBS News there are ongoing discussions about whether she should withdraw from consideration. Stefanik has not resigned from her seat in Congress, and with the narrow majority in the House, Republicans need all the votes they can muster. House Speaker Mike Johnson was aware of some of the conversations about Stefanik that took place Thursday.
Stefanik, who has represented New York’s 21st congressional district since 2015, is currently scheduled to begin her confirmation process next week.
If she is confirmed to represent the US at the UN, her district would hold a special election, which could further imperil the slim majority her party holds in the House.
Including Stefanik, the Republican Party holds a 218-213 majority in the lower chamber.
House Republicans are currently without Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, both who resigned from the House after winning their elections last November when Trump tapped them for cabinet roles.
Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for Attorney General weeks after President Donald Trump nominated him amid bipartisan scrutiny.
Waltz, currently plagued by his involvement in the Signalgate scandal, is serving Trump as national security advisor.
There are currently four total vacancies in the House after two Democrats in the House died this month. Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) died on March 5, while Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) died a week later on March 13.
Stefanik appeared to be ecstatic after Trump tapped her to represent the United States in the UN. Last November, she said in a statement:
I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate.
President Trump’s historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead – both at home and abroad. America continues to be the beacon of the world, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek.
