House Intelligence Committee chair Mike Turner has raised concerns about the presence of Russian propaganda within Congress, stating that some Republican colleagues have unknowingly repeated false claims originating from Russia. Turner emphasized that there have been deliberate attempts to spread messages that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia, with some of these narratives even being voiced on the House floor.
These remarks follow similar comments made by House Foreign Affairs chair Michael McCaul, who recently stated that Russian propaganda has influenced a significant portion of the GOP base. Turner, a vocal supporter of providing aid to Ukraine, highlighted the misinformation circulating among members of Congress, particularly regarding the nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite the Senate passing a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill that included support for Ukraine and Israel in February, House Speaker Mike Johnson has faced criticism for delaying a vote on the package. Johnson's leadership position within the party has come under scrutiny, especially after facing challenges from fellow Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Turner expressed confidence in Johnson's leadership, dismissing concerns about his potential removal by what he referred to as the 'chaos caucus.' He criticized certain members of Congress for prioritizing personal attention over essential legislative work, hindering progress on critical issues.
