Johnson Stalls Stefanik Confirmation To Hold Majority

The New York Times reports:

Speaker Mike Johnson revealed on Monday why Representative Elise Stefanik of New York has yet to have her confirmation vote to serve as ambassador to the United Nations: He cannot afford to lose another Republican vote in the House.

Mr. Johnson is under pressure this week to hold his fractious conference together to pass a budget resolution, with potentially only a single vote to spare. Ms. Stefanik, a former member of House leadership, is a team player whose support could be crucial, given the difficult math.

“If we get the budget resolution passed this week, which is the plan, then it’s possible that Elise Stefanik would go ahead and move on to her assignment at the U.N. as the ambassador there,” Mr. Johnson said on Monday during a talk at the America First Policy Institute.

Read the full article.

NOTE: In a post earlier today, I incorrectly wrote that Stefanik is a “former rep.” I didn’t realize she hadn’t resigned ahead of her confirmation hearing. 

Stefanik’s Confirmation Is on Ice as Republicans Guard Their Scant Majority https://t.co/njechOlow5

— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) February 24, 2025