1 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio News. Joining us now is 2 00:00:09,560 --> 00:00:13,119 Speaker 1: Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio, chair of the House Select 3 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: Committee on Intelligence, who has been pushing for these votes 4 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:19,759 Speaker 1: for some time now. Mister Chairman, welcome to Bloomberg. We're 5 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: glad to have you here. I wonder your thoughts on 6 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: what we just heard from the Speaker of the House. 7 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 1: I really do believe the intel and the briefings that 8 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: we've gotten, and it comes just hours after your committee, 9 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:33,879 Speaker 1: yourself and the ranking member of the Intelligence Commission Committee 10 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:37,159 Speaker 1: issued a statement that made clear that Ukraine funding needed. 11 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:38,839 Speaker 2: To pass this week. 12 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:41,639 Speaker 1: Can you speak to the urgency as to why this 13 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: week and what you told Speaker Johnson to bring him 14 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: to this point? 15 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,599 Speaker 3: Joe, Well, the intelligence is very clear. Ukraine is at 16 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 3: a critical point. As the Speaker just said, they are 17 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 3: running out of ammunition. Russia is certainly surging and putting 18 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 3: additional pressure on that front line, and also the lack 19 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:05,400 Speaker 3: of US support is impacting morale even in Ukraine. But 20 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 3: their ability to be able to sustain the fight, and 21 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:13,000 Speaker 3: they are fighting honorably to keep Russia from taking additional 22 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:16,959 Speaker 3: ground in Ukraine is essential. Also, we have the issue 23 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:21,120 Speaker 3: of that in this package. I think this will result 24 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 3: in the Administration giving additional weapons capabilities to Ukraine so 25 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 3: we can change the. 26 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 2: Dynamics on the battlefield. 27 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 3: They need longer range weapons, they need to be able 28 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 3: to hit Crimea, they need to be able to hit 29 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:37,919 Speaker 3: the supply lines of Russia as they're coming into Ukraine 30 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 3: as part of this aggression. 31 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 2: I think this package is. 32 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 3: Desperately needed to turn the tide on this conflict and 33 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 3: support Ukraine. 34 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 4: But sir, how quickly can it do? So you speak 35 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 4: of changing the dynamics on the ground, how quickly can 36 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 4: this make a difference in a fight that Ukraine has 37 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 4: already engaged in, knowing there may be a lag for 38 00:01:58,040 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 4: them to receive some of this. 39 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 2: So I've asked this question both to our Department of Defense. 40 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 3: We had the US ambassador from Ukraine, the US Master 41 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 3: Chie Ukraine that was here with us today. All of 42 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 3: them report that we are boys going to get this 43 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 3: aid to them immediately. So if this passage passes, and 44 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 3: I think it will overwhelmingly this Saturday, the United States 45 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:24,799 Speaker 3: is POI to make certain that the ammunition is in 46 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 3: the hands of the Ukrainians and that they're able to 47 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 3: take it directly to the fight with Russia. 48 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: There's been a call for border funding as well. Of course, 49 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: this is a big debate leading into the Senate bill 50 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,920 Speaker 1: that passed. I know border aid was a question in 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 1: the Senate, Congressman, and there was an attempt to get 52 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: some border legislation cleared through rules last evening. 53 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:47,359 Speaker 2: It didn't work out. 54 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 1: Congressman chip Roy, you're a colleague from Texas, issued a 55 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 1: statement saying sorry, not sorry. If we're opposing a crappy 56 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 1: rule that is a show vote, a cover vote for 57 00:02:56,760 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 1: funding Ukraine instead of border security. The refrain been hearing 58 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: from the Republican conferences. Protect our own border before we 59 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: do so our allies. Will there be a border piece 60 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: that comes along with this legislation this weekend? 61 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 2: The House has. 62 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 3: Already passed HR two that would effectively complete the border 63 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,239 Speaker 3: wall and close the border and at the same time 64 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 3: hold accountable the administration for what they've created. 65 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 2: In this open border situation. Well over inter still in peace. 66 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,360 Speaker 1: It didn't get a single democratic Bothe though, mister Chairman, 67 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: will it be attached to this package again for another look? 68 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 3: I want to see what the final packages that comes 69 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 3: off the House floor Saturday, but currently it is not 70 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 3: expected to be attached to the Ukrainian funding, the Israeli 71 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 3: funding and the other and the funding for Southeast Asia. 72 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 3: But this bill is sitting over in the Senate and 73 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:47,920 Speaker 3: it is a bill. 74 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 2: That needs to pass. 75 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 3: Overwhelmingly, the American public are just disgusted and just shocked 76 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 3: if the administration is not doing anything to protect what 77 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 3: is the environment, the threat environment that we have in 78 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 3: the country as a result of these eight million people 79 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 3: who walked across the border. The FBI director has repeatedly 80 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 3: said that we're the highest threat level currently for a 81 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 3: terrorist attack in this country as a result of the 82 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 3: open border. The Biden administration needs to take action, and 83 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 3: certainly this House has with SAR two and the City 84 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 3: should take up that bill immediately. 85 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,320 Speaker 4: Well, mister Chairman, as you rightly point out, it's not 86 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 4: just aid for Israel and Ukraine and Taiwan that are included. 87 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 4: There are other elements as well. But on the subject 88 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 4: of Israel, of course, we are still waiting to see 89 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:34,839 Speaker 4: what the response from Israel might be to the Iranian 90 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 4: attack over this past weekend, which of course the US, 91 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:42,239 Speaker 4: together with others like the UK, did intercept the vast 92 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 4: majority of what was sent Israel's way. Knowing that that 93 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 4: attack largely was unsuccessful, what would be a proportionate response 94 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:52,599 Speaker 4: from Israel. Is it possible in your mind, Sir, that 95 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 4: Israel could go too far? 96 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:57,720 Speaker 3: I will leave it to what their response should be, 97 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 3: But first of all, let's put this in perspective. Unfortunately, 98 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 3: this administration believes that if you use missile defense to 99 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 3: thwart an attack, that the attack didn't happen. 100 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 2: The attack did happen. 101 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 3: Iran attacked Israel directly from its soil with over three 102 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 3: hundred drones and missiles. Previously, though Iran has been continuously 103 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 3: attacking Israel through Hamas HESBLA and of course through the 104 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:23,040 Speaker 3: Hoho thies have been even attacking our commercial shipping lanes. 105 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 3: They train them, they equipped and provide them weapons. 106 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 2: To these groups and terrorist organizations. 107 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:32,160 Speaker 3: Of course, AMAS or betraying the October seventh attackle on Israel. 108 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 3: So Iran already has been attacking Israel. This is the 109 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 3: first time that it was direct and certainly I don't 110 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 3: think that just because missile defense is effective that Iran 111 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 3: or the United Say. 112 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 2: Should look the other way. 113 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: So if the attacker doesn't lay a glove on you. 114 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 1: You still respond, is what you're saying, mister Chairman. But 115 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 1: what is a proportionate response? What could Israel do here 116 00:05:55,279 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 1: as a military answer that would not wear on the 117 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 1: alliance that includes the UK, France and others. This has 118 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: been a very delicate matter, of course domestically for President Biden. 119 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 2: What's the right move? 120 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 3: Well, you know, certainly they won't be sending three hundred 121 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 3: missiles and kamikaze drones into Iran. So I think if 122 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 3: you're asking for what is a proportionate issue, I think 123 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 3: certainly Israel's not going to be responding at the same 124 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 3: level that I Ran did. Iran sent a lethal force 125 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:30,160 Speaker 3: toward Israel, and it just because we have invested with them, 126 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 3: we've co developed their missile defense, and of course we 127 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 3: ate it. As you widely reported, Joe, the u K 128 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 3: was part of that umbrella that gave missile defense its 129 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,040 Speaker 3: ability to take down these missiles. But this was a 130 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 3: serious threat and attack by Iran and it should be 131 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 3: be viewed as such. 132 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 4: Sir. We'd like to turn back to just the affairs 133 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 4: in your chamber with our final minutes, with you knowing 134 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 4: that the cost of bringing aid for Israel and Ukraine 135 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:03,039 Speaker 4: and everyone else to the may be ultimately the Speaker's gavel. 136 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 4: What is your degree of confidence that Mike Johnson, having 137 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,479 Speaker 4: said today that he will not change the rules that 138 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 4: allows any one member to bring forward a motion to vacate, 139 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 4: is going to be able to make it out the 140 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 4: other side of this. Is it a mistake for him 141 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 4: not to change those rules? Would that be a better decision? 142 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 3: Now we Speaker Johnson is being incredibly courageous, and you've 143 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 3: heard him as you were reporting. He is saying he's 144 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 3: doing the right thing, and certainly he should be rewarded 145 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:30,960 Speaker 3: for doing the right thing bringing this bill to the 146 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 3: floor so that we can pass this on to the Senate, 147 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 3: and since the presence desk is essential for our national security, 148 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 3: and I certainly did, but I think overwhelmingly the membership 149 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 3: of Congress is thankful that he's doing so. Now. I 150 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 3: don't think that the small band of the Chaos Caucus, 151 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 3: those who want to remove to Johnson, have the votes 152 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 3: on the Democrat side to be able to remove. You 153 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 3: have to remember that the small group that removed Kevin 154 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 3: McCarthy could only do so with the support of the 155 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 3: Democrats on the floor, and I think this time that 156 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 3: if they go to the floor, they're going to stand alone. 157 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 3: There'll be a very small minority, they'll be exposed for 158 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 3: being a very small minority, and they will be unsuccessful. 159 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:13,119 Speaker 4: All Right, mister chairman, thank you so much for joining 160 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:16,560 Speaker 4: us this evening. That's House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner 161 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 4: of Ohio. We appreciate your time, sir,