Reminder for House Republicans: Russia is not an Ally

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On Wednesday, there was a noticeable contradiction between two CNN stories regarding Russia and the US.

Have you read the report by CNN's Sean Lyngaas about a hacking group linked to the Russian government possibly being behind a cyberattack on a Texas water facility? This incident is just one of the potential attacks on US water facilities that the federal government has raised concerns about.

A key point to note is that if it is indeed confirmed that the (Russian intelligence service) GRU or one of its affiliates was involved, this would represent a significant escalation in targeting US critical infrastructure by a Russian group that has typically focused on Ukraine.

Read the latest update from CNN's Capitol Hill team regarding the ongoing effort to provide additional military aid to Ukraine in their fight against Russia's invasion. GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson is showing signs of breaking away from the right wing of his party to allow a bipartisan majority to approve the aid, six months after it was initially requested by the White House.

A key point to note is that conservative hardliners are not happy with Johnson's decision to move forward with providing billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine. They are openly expressing their discontent and even warning Johnson that his job may be at stake.

It is evident from the recent water facility hack that Russia is still interfering in the US, whether through targeting infrastructure or influencing elections.

The situation with Ukraine funding highlights that only a small group of lawmakers, assisted by right-wing media, do not see Russia as a significant threat.

While most Republicans do not support additional funding for Ukraine, they are actually in the minority within their own party. In February, 22 Republicans in the Senate, along with almost all Democrats, voted in favor of the funding, creating a 70-vote majority. It is likely that a similar bipartisan majority will also back Ukraine funding in the House's new foreign aid package presented on Wednesday.

The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, D.C., March 28, 2024. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, D.C., March 28, 2024. (Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

Francis Chung/POLITICO/AP

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Here’s what aid the House bills would provide to Ukraine, Israel

"We need to show the world that we are a strong nation," Johnson shared with CNN's Jake Tapper during an interview on "The Lead" on Wednesday. He stood by his proposal, ensuring that a future bill would focus on border security, and emphasized that most of the $60 billion aid for Ukraine would benefit US defense contractors.

Johnson expressed that the duty of protecting the free world now falls on us. He clarified that US troops would not be sent to Ukraine, stating, "We are not here to police the world."

Not all Republicans support Johnson's leadership, and the disagreement within the GOP on Ukraine is intensifying. This is making it difficult for Johnson to effectively lead. Some Republicans are already preparing to challenge Johnson if he is removed from his position. On the other hand, Johnson's Republican critics are becoming more vocal.

Florida Representative Matt Gaetz criticized Johnson's strategy as "surrender," which involved a complex four-part parliamentary maneuver to link aid for Ukraine with aid for Israel, Taiwan, and the US border.

Texas Representative Chip Roy expressed hesitance about voting to remove Johnson from his position as Speaker, stating that he has run out of patience with the new speaker and is no longer willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

And they're not the only two Republicans who have spoken out about voting to end Johnson's speakership. The first one to publicly declare this is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia. She recently made controversial comments about Ukraine, calling it the only country that some people care about for strange reasons. Greene specifically mentioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who has expressed concerns about the global threat posed by Russia if Ukraine is taken over.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, another Republican, has already expressed support for removing Johnson. He commended Tucker Carlson for his easy interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which CNN's media team criticized as a "propaganda victory" for Putin.

From left, Reps. Ralph Norman, Thomas Massie and Chip Roy are seen in US Capitol office of House Speaker Mike Johnson on April 17.

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images

Johnson may need support from moderate Democrats to prevent his removal, and there are a few Democrats willing to break party lines to back him up. However, it is uncertain whether Johnson would welcome this support, as GOP values party loyalty above all else.

The divide over Russia is putting this loyalty to the test. Former Representative Liz Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming, was removed from her position due to her disagreement with former President Donald Trump. She has warned about the dangers of the "Putin wing" within the GOP to the United States.

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Former Rep. Liz Cheney sees a "Putin wing" in the GOP.

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Rep. Michael McCaul, the Texas Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recently shared with Puck News that Russian propaganda has influenced a significant portion of his party's supporters, putting the Ukraine aid at risk.

When questioned about this propaganda statement by Tapper, Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, who leads the House Intelligence Committee, concurred.

“Oh, it is absolutely true,” he said.

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Republican lawmaker says Russian propaganda has 'infected a good chunk' of GOP base

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“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.

Former Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado recently referred to Greene as “Moscow Marjorie” during a CNN interview. Greene has expressed on conservative media outlets that she is not worried about Putin’s actions towards Ukraine spreading.

Over the weekend, Greene posted on X, suggesting that US military funding might support “Ukrainian Nazis,” which repeats a false claim about Ukraine that has been promoted by Putin.

Johnson still has the full support of Trump. They were seen together at Mar-a-Lago last week, and Johnson agrees with Trump's idea to turn some Ukraine aid into a loan instead of direct aid. Despite complaints from Democrats about Trump's relationship with Putin, Johnson believes Trump could negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine.

Johnson is focused on doing his job and not getting caught up in thoughts about his own party trying to remove him from office. "Right now, I need to focus on my responsibilities," he mentioned. He declined to speculate on the outcome if Democrats decide to keep him as speaker. "I believe in doing what's right and facing the consequences," he added.

Editor's P/S:

The recent cyberattack on a Texas water facility and the ongoing debate over providing military aid to Ukraine highlight the complex and evolving nature of US-Russia relations. While most Republicans support providing aid to Ukraine, a vocal minority within the GOP, influenced by Russian propaganda, opposes it. This divide within the party has put pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is facing calls for removal from his position.

The situation underscores the need for bipartisan cooperation to address threats posed by Russia. The majority of both Republicans and Democrats recognize the importance of supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. However, the influence of Russian propaganda on the GOP base poses a significant challenge to building a united front against Russia's malign activities. It is crucial for political leaders, media organizations, and the public to counter this propaganda and promote a clear understanding of the threat posed by Russia's authoritarian regime.