Is Russian propaganda infiltrating Capitol Hill?
Russian propaganda is a new talking point in Washington.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, has echoed calls by Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, that their GOP colleagues are spewing Russian propaganda. Pro-Putin thinking has "infected a good chunk of my party's base," McCaul told Puck News last week.
While neither Republican named names, their statements come as a growing number of Republican lawmakers have publicly opposed sending additional U.S. aid to Ukraine or putting stipulations on funding for the war-torn country. Their rejection of further dollars for Ukraine is the result of a Russian information campaign, Turner and McCaul say.
Lawmakers returned to Washington from a two-week break this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson hasn't given any word of plans for a vote on President Joe Biden's supplemental request for $95 billion for Ukraine, Israel and other allies or commented on assertions that Kremlin rhetoric is influencing lawmakers' platforms.