GOP House Leadership Still Pondering Next Role for Returning Stefanik

At a Tuesday morning press conference, Republican leadership in the House indicated they’re still not sure what role Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., will play after the withdrawal of her nomination to be ambassador to the United Nations and her return to Congress.

The rising star gave up much of the influence she gained over the course of a decade in Congress in order to pursue the U.N. ambassadorship.

Now, Republicans are pondering how she can help them push forward a budget reconciliation bill that could ensure tax cuts and funding for border security.

President Donald Trump withdrew Stefanik’s nomination March 26, saying he wanted to ensure that Republicans’ already razor-thin majority in Congress wouldn’t be reduced by Stefanik leaving her upstate New York district.

The president also called for Stefanik’s return to GOP House leadership. The one problem with that? There’s no job opening in leadership.

Stefanik departed her position as GOP conference chair in order to become ambassador, and Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., was elected as her replacement.

McClain started out the press conference by praising Stefanik, but didn’t make clear what position Stefanik would assume.

“I first want to start off by praising Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Her work ethic and commitment will help us deliver President Trump’s agenda and the American people’s agenda. And we look forward to what she brings to the table,” she said.

Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

At the end of the press conference, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., was asked pointedly where Stefanik would fit in leadership.

Johnson praised the New York lawmaker and emphasized her sacrifice of her leadership role and committee assignments, but indicated he was still working on finding a role for her.

“Yeah, we’re trying to sort that out,” said Johnson. 

“Recognizing her talent, I said, I would love to invite her back immediately to the leadership table. All the leadership posts are filled at the moment, so we’re trying to find out some creative role for Elise to play, because I think that that helps the whole body,” he said.

What remains unclear is whether or not an entirely new position will be created for Stefanik, and if she will appear alongside the whip, majority leader, speaker, and conference chair at weekly Republican press conferences. 

Stefanik previously played an important role in messaging and communicating policy goals.

Asked by The Daily Signal after the press conference whether Stefanik would attend future press conferences, McClain smiled and said, “I don’t know. We’ll see. She is welcome. I love Elise. Elise is good people.”

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