During an appearance on CNN's “State of the Union,” a leading House Republican accused some of his GOP colleagues of repeating Russian propaganda that is being promoted by America First influencers such as Tucker Carlson and spread uncritically by isolationist Republicans.
During an interview with host Jake Tapper, House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) agreed with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas). Last week, McCaul told Puck that Russian propaganda has infected a significant portion of his party's base. The national security guru added, “nighttime entertainment shows … seem to spin, like, I see the Russian propaganda in some of it – and it's almost identical [to what they're saying on Russian state television] – on our airwaves.” (RELATED: Europe Is Finally Spending More To Defend Ukraine – Thank Trump And The GOP)
On Sunday, Tapper asked Turner bluntly: “Do you agree with [McCaul], and how big is this problem?”
As Mediaite reports:
“It's absolutely true,” Turner replied. “We see directly coming from Russia attempts to mask communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which were even hear being uttered on the House floor. I mean, there are members of Congress today who still incorrectly say that this conflict between Russia and Ukraine is over NATO, which of course it is not.”
The congressman went on to spell out the ramifications — and lobbied for additional aid for Ukraine.
“To the extent that this propaganda takes hold, it makes it more difficult for us to really see this as an authoritarian versus democracy battle, which is what it is,” Turner said. “President Xi of China, Vladimir Putin himself have identified it as such. We need to stand up for democracy. We need to make certain that that we know that authoritarian regimes never stop when they when they start in aggression. Ukraine needs our help and assistance now. And this is a very critical time for U.S. Congress to step up and provide that aid.”
Last month, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), informed Republican senators that a bill to aid Ukraine would be voted on by the full House. However, Johnson cautioned his GOP colleagues that the final version of the bill would likely differ significantly from the Senate's $95 billion aid package. According to multiple attendees, the bill would have enforcement mechanisms to prevent U.S. taxpayers from providing aid without any expectation of return. (RELATED: Blame Biden, Not Trump Or GOP For Ukraine War Mess)
After becoming speaker, Johnson met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. While he called their conservation “good,” Johnson criticized the White House for failing to outline how U.S. aid will help Ukraine repel Russia's invasion.
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