“As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress. We must be unified to accomplish our Mission, and Elise Stefanik has been a vital part of our efforts from the very beginning,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” he added.
With a House majority of 218-213, the GOP can only afford to lose two votes on any party-line bill. Stefanik’s anticipated resignation to assume the UN role would have jeopardized the progress of crucial border, energy, and tax legislation scheduled to reach President Trump’s desk by Memorial Day, the New York Post reported.
Sources familiar with the shake-up said that the Stefanik withdrawal was “absurd” and “a surprise,” the outlet claimed.
“It’s a surprise. It’s a bombshell. Trump made a decision — and that’s it,” said one New York Republican official who requested anonymity.
The congresswoman was expected to be confirmed by the Senate on April 2, with an initial news conference scheduled at UN headquarters in Turtle Bay for the following day.
Before the White House announced the nomination, a source close to the administration revealed “there’s been recent talks between [the] White House and Speaker [Mike Johnson]’s office about if it’s in [the] best interest of [the] House Majority and president’s agenda to pull the nomination.” That source told The Post that the decision was really “all about the math.”
“With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on aanyone else running for Elise’s seat,” Trump said in his statement. “There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations. Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People.”
Johnson (R-La.) stated in a press release that he intended to “invite” Stefanik to immediately rejoin the leadership team, even though her former role as conference chair is now being held by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.).
“Elise Stefanik is truly a great leader and a devoted patriot. Today’s selfless decision shows America what those of us who work with her already know. She is deeply devoted to her country and fully committed to see President Trump’s agenda succeed in Congress,” the speaker noted. “There is no doubt she would have served with distinction as our ambassador to the United Nations, but we are grateful for her willingness to sacrifice that position and remain in Congress to help us save the country.”
Stefanik, 40, was among the first Trump nominees to undergo vetting, and she cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a voice vote on January 30.
New York Democrats had been considering changes to the rules for a special election in upstate New York to fill the vacancy Stefanik’s departure would create in the 21st Congressional District—until Governor Kathy Hochul intervened, sources familiar with the matter previously told The Post.
That could have left the deep-red district without representation until Election Day on November 4, but sources noted that the bill to rewrite the election rules was “definitely on hold” while Hochul battled Trump over congestion pricing.
Stefanik was viewed as being on a clear path to confirmation after receiving enthusiastic endorsements from Republicans as well as from Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.
She made her mark last Congress by grilling Ivy League presidents about the surge in antisemitic rhetoric, threats, and intimidation on their campuses following Hamas’s massacre of 1,200 in Israel on October 7, 2023, The Post noted further.
