Republican Rep. Mike Turner said Sunday that Russian propaganda is entrenched among some of his House Republican colleagues and “is being said on the floor of the House.”
“We see some of the anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian messages coming directly from Russia…we hear them being uttered on the House floor,” said Turner, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Sometimes even.” Interview on CNN's “State of the Union.”
“There are members of Congress who are still incorrectly saying that this conflict between Russia and Ukraine is about NATO, which of course is not the case,” he added.
Turner's office did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for clarification on which lawmaker he was referring to.
His comments followed statements made this week by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul about how entrenched Russian propaganda is within the Republican Party.
McCall, a Texas Republican, told Pac News that he believes “unfortunately, Russian propaganda has entered the United States and infected a significant portion of my party's base.” Told.
Turner and McCall each linked Russia and its leader Vladimir Putin to other authoritarian leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
”[The propaganda] Turner told CNN, adding, “Chinese President Xi and Vladimir Putin themselves see it that way.”
McCaul explained that the Russian propaganda threat is similar to the threat posed by other U.S. adversaries.
“We have to explain to them what is at stake and why Ukraine is in our national security interests,” he said. “By the way, you don't like Communist China? Well, guess what? They have an alliance.” [with Russia], with the Ayatollah. So when you explain it that way, they start to understand. ”
The committee chairs each talked about Russian propaganda while talking about the need for Congress to approve more military aid to Ukraine.
“Ukraine needs our help and support right now, and this is a critical moment for the U.S. Congress to step up support,” Turner told CNN.
Efforts to pass Ukraine aid have stalled in the House of Representatives in recent months, with Speaker Mike Johnson pushing to bring the Senate-passed aid package in February that provides financial resources to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan to the House floor. refused.
Rep. Don Bacon said on NBC News' “Meet the Press” last week that there was a commitment from Mr. Johnson and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Mike McCaul to allow a vote on a bipartisan military aid package for Ukraine. Ta.
Congressman French Hill echoed this point on Sunday morning's CBS show “Face the Nation,” saying he believed Prime Minister Johnson “will bring it to the floor as soon as he completes his work on aid to Ukraine.” Ta. [the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] And the FISA extension – which expires on April 19th – will be a priority in the first few days after returning. ”
“I think he’s committed to bringing this issue to the floor immediately after that,” Hill added.
But Bacon (R-Neb.) also warned that Johnson could face a vote to oust him from the speakership if he moves forward with aiding Ukraine.
Prime Minister Turner on Sunday downplayed the idea that Johnson's position was in jeopardy over aid to Ukraine.
“I don't think he's in any danger,” Turner said. “What people call the 'chaotic caucus' – people who try to block all important work in Congress to draw attention to themselves – are now seen as nothing more than subversives. think.”
Democrats are working with several Republicans to remove Johnson from the speakership if a motion to resign, like the one filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene just before the House went into its two-week Easter recess, comes to a vote. It has been suggested that it may help protect the .
