Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik said Thursday evening on Fox News that Democrats and corruption were among the list of reasons why she agreed to remain in the House just before she could be confirmed as the Trump administration’s United Nations ambassador.
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social Thursday, announcing he would pull Stefanik’s U.N. ambassador nomination, writing that it is “essential” for Republicans to “maintain every Republican seat in Congress.” On “Hannity,” guest host Kayleigh McEnany asked the lawmaker about the decision and how the process transpired.
“Well, as you know, Kayleigh, I had my hearing the day after the inauguration. The hearing went incredibly smoothly. It passed by voice [vote], and there’s been universal praise for the nomination,” Stefanik said. “The reality is Democrats, as we see in New York state, it is totally corrupt.”
“Kathy Hochul started threatening to move the ball on the election date. You see a highly, highly politicized radical left trying to do everything they can to defeat the president. This is about stepping up as a team,” Stefanik said.
In February, New York Democrats reportedly began plotting ways to prevent Republicans from maintaining their majority, as the GOP leads the House with 218 seats to the Democrats’ 213. The potential plan reportedly included a bill to delay the special election to fill Stefanik’s spot until June.
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Stefanik went on to say that as a leader, she is ensuring Republican congressional lawmakers can “take hold” of the mandate voters pushed for in November, including passing the reconciliation bill, securing the border, and holding higher education “accountable for their failures.”
“So it really came to a culmination today, but it was a combination of the New York corruption that we’re seeing under Kathy Hochul, special elections and the House margin,” Stefanik said.
“Look, I’ve been in [the] House. It’s tough to count these votes every day. We are going to continue to defy the political prognosticators and deliver victory on behalf of President Trump and, importantly, the voters across this country,” Stefanik said.
As Trump announced Stefanik’s withdrawal, he wrote that the lawmaker is loved by her constituents. Trump added that he looks forward to the day when she is able to join his administration.
“I look forward to the day when Elise is able to join my Administration in the future. She is absolutely FANTASTIC. Thank you Elise!” Trump wrote.
The president has yet to announce his new nominee for U.N. ambassador.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Screenshot/Fox News/”Hannity”)
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