He’s not coming out against the corrupt NRA. He’s a coward who made an excuse not to show up.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) on Wednesday confirmed to TPM that he has canceled his scheduled appearance at the National Rifle Association’s convention in Houston on Friday. Crenshaw was previously confirmed as a speaker at the event, which is scheduled to take place days after the tragic shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Crenshaw’s chief of staff Justin Discigil told TPM Tuesday that the GOP congressman is currently in Ukraine. Crenshaw’s office let the organizers of the NRA annual convention know Tuesday morning that the congressman wouldn’t be back in the U.S. in time to attend the event, according to Discigil.

Asked by TPM to clarify whether the Texas shooting impacted Crenshaw’s visit to Ukraine, Discigil denied the shooting impacted the lawmaker’s travel schedule.

Crenshaw Is Now In Ukraine And Says He Won’t Speak At NRA Meeting After All (TPM via MSN)