Russian propaganda influencing Republican Party: Representative Mike Turner

ike Turner, a Republican and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, raised concerns about the influence of Russian propaganda within the Republican Party.

Turner, an Ohio Representative, told CNN's State of the Union programme that "absolutely" Russian messaging was reaching the Congress. He pointed to instances where some Republican colleagues had made false claims about the war in Ukraine.

"It is absolutely true we see, directly coming from Russia, attempts to mask communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor," Turner was quoted by CNN as saying on Sunday.

Turner's comment comes after House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul, who told Puck News last week that Russian propaganda "infected a good chunk" of the Republican base.

"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. 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," said Turner.

HOUSE STALLED ON UKRAINE AID PACKAGE

The Congressman also addressed the delay in approving additional aid for Ukraine and Israel.

The Senate passed a $95.3-billion foreign aid bill in February, but House Speaker Mike Johnson, facing uncertainty in his party leadership due to Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's attempt to remove him from the speakership, has yet to bring it to a vote on the package.

Turner, however, doesn't believe a group of outspoken Republicans threatens Johnson's position. He called them a "chaos caucus". 

"The Republicans who are seeking attention for themselves and trying to stop all the important work in Congress," said Turner.