Rep. Mike Turner, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, discussed the upcoming vote on funding for Ukraine aid in a recent interview. He expressed strong support for Ukraine, emphasizing the need to respond to Russia’s aggression and brutal actions. Speaker Johnson has indicated his support for Ukraine, and the bill is expected to have overwhelming support in Congress once they return from the break. Turner highlighted the importance of providing aid to Ukraine to prevent Putin from further aggression in Europe.
Turner addressed concerns about potential tweaks to the legislation, such as including loans for Ukraine to pay back or adding provisions related to border security. He mentioned discussions about non-military aid structure and border security but emphasized the overall strong support among Republicans and Americans for providing assistance to Ukraine. The bill is expected to be negotiated with the Senate and the White House to ensure it can be signed into law.
The urgency of passing the aid package before the upcoming break was discussed, with Turner noting the critical point that Ukraine is currently at in its fight against Russia. He emphasized the need to prevent Putin from achieving his goals of expanding the war into Europe and highlighted the importance of supporting Ukraine to push back against Russian aggression. Turner expressed hope that the House would pass the bill quickly with support from both chambers and the President’s approval.
In response to concerns about the lack of support for Ukraine and the potential damage of congressional inaction, Turner acknowledged the challenges faced by Ukraine, including shortages of ammunition and the need for longer-range weapon systems. He emphasized the need to provide Ukraine with the necessary resources to effectively combat Russian forces and push back on the front lines. Turner discussed the importance of providing Patriot missile batteries and other long-range missiles to support Ukraine’s defense.
Turner expressed optimism about the passage of the aid package, noting the majority support in both the House and the Senate, as well as the willingness of the President to sign it into law. He highlighted the commitment of Speaker Johnson to ensuring the aid reaches Ukraine and emphasized the broad support in Congress for getting the job done. Turner also addressed concerns about Republican retirements in Congress, attributing the departures to the challenges posed by radical fringes disrupting the legislative process.
In a broader discussion about Congress and the intersection of religion and politics, Turner mentioned President Trump’s “God Bless the USA Bible” and expressed concern about restrictions on religious symbols at the White House Easter Egg Roll. He highlighted the importance of religious freedom and criticized the Biden White House for limiting expressions of faith. Turner discussed the need for individuals to focus on getting the job done in Congress amidst the challenges posed by polarized political factions. The interview concluded with Turner’s remarks on his Easter Sunday activities and his stance on the “Trump Bible.”
