Elise Stefanik gets release date from House purgatory
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Rep. Elise Stefanik, the U.S. ambassador-designate to the UN, during a Cabinet meeting. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
It's been more than four months since President Trump announced Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as his UN ambassador — and she finally has a date for when she will be free from the House.
Why it matters: House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) slim margins, GOP detractors like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Trump's shopping spree in the House to fill top administration positions have left Stefanik behind to ensure the House has the votes to get things done.
What to watch: Stefanik's nomination is set to move on April 2, two sources familiar told Axios.
- That will allow time for the winners of the Florida special elections on April 1 to fill the seats vacated by former Reps. Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz, the new White House national security adviser.
- Stefanik's confirmation vote will happen immediately after the new members are seated, a Trump official involved in the process told Axios. It's not expected to be a controversial vote.
- The two new members will finally give Johnson a little bit more wiggle room in the House and could make him feel better about giving up Stefanik.
What they're saying: "Elise will be an outstanding U.S. ambassador to the United Nations," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told Axios in a statement.
- "She has been a true team player, supporting President Trump and the House majority while seamlessly transitioning to her new role at USUN," he added.
- "Congresswoman Stefanik is a great ally to President Trump, and we look forward to her confirmation as the next ambassador to the United Nations," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios.
Zoom in: More trouble for the majority could be brewing with Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expected to slow-walk a special election to replace Stefanik, Semafor's Kadia Goba reported.
- Every empty GOP seat makes Johnson's job that much harder.
Zoom out: The U.S. shocked Democrats and some Republicans by voting last month against a UN resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine.
- Stefanik, in some cases, has been filling both roles, attending Cabinet meetings as well as House votes.
