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Donald Trump has withdrawn the nomination of Elise Stefanik for US ambassador to the UN as Republicans try to hold on to their razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives.
The president on Thursday said he had asked the New York congresswoman to remain in Congress rather than taking up the diplomatic appointment to forestall an election for her seat.
“As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations.”
Republicans hold 218 seats in the House to the Democrats’ 215. The three-seat majority is the smallest in almost a century.
Stefanik’s appointment as ambassador would have triggered a race for her seat which, if Republicans lost, would narrow the party’s majority to just two seats, making it exceedingly difficult to pass legislation through the chamber.
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