The Democratic Party appears to be descending into chaos as the critical midterm elections are now just days away.
As Slay News previously reported, a group of progressive Democrats, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), broke with the party and wrote a letter demanding that President Joe Biden starts negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.
The Washington Post reported:
“In a letter led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the 30 Democrats call on Biden to pair the unprecedented economic and military support the U.S. is providing Ukraine with a ‘diplomatic push, redoubling efforts to seek a realistic framework for a ceasefire.'”
Jayapal said:
“The longer the war in Ukraine goes on the greater the risk of escalation—to widespread, devastating effect.
“We should have no illusions about the challenge ahead of us but my colleagues and I are urging the administration to engage in a proactive diplomatic push in an effort to seek a realistic framework for a cease-fire.”
(Washington Post) – A group of 30 House liberals is urging President Biden to dramatically shift his strategy on the #Ukraine war and pursue direct negotiations with Russia ..@washingtonpost (h/t @JohnSpall247) pic.twitter.com/m4gFVKOD9i
— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) October 24, 2022
Following the blowback, however, Jayapal, the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is now blaming a staffer for the letter.
“The letter was drafted several months ago, but unfortunately was released by staff without vetting,” Jayapal said.
“As Chair of the Caucus, I accept responsibility for this.
“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 proximity of these statements created the unfortunate appearance that Democrats, who have strongly and unanimously supported and voted for every package of military, strategic, and economic assistance to the Ukrainian people, are somehow aligned with Republicans who seek to pull the plug on American support for President Zelensky and the Ukrainian forces.
“Let me be clear: we are united as Democrats in our unequivocal commitment to supporting Ukraine in their fight for their democracy and freedom in the face of the illegal and outrageous Russian invasion, and nothing in the letter advocates for a change in that support.
“Diplomacy is an important tool that can save lives — but it is just one tool.
“As we also made explicitly clear in our letter and will continue to make clear, we support President Biden and his administration’s commitment to nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
INBOX: “The Congressional Progressive Caucus hereby withdraws its recent letter to the White House regarding Ukraine.” pic.twitter.com/nl4bqFLrXZ
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) October 25, 2022
What a mess. @RepJayapal and other left-wing Dems now withdraw their problematic Ukraine letter that was criticized when it was made public yesterday (but was, according to some who signed it, written months ago). https://t.co/tZrEM99vbH
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) October 25, 2022
