letter signed by 30 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus that encouraged a more diplomatic approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict was rescinded on Tuesday due to what was called a lack of vetting by staff.
Representative Pramila Jayapal, chair of the caucus, wrote in a statement Tuesday that the letter was drafted "several months ago." She took responsibility for its release.
"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 wrote. "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."