WEBVTT - US Rep. Mike Turner Talks Ukraine Aid

0:00:02.920 --> 0:00:09.520
<v Speaker 1>Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio News. Joining us now is

0:00:09.560 --> 0:00:13.119
<v Speaker 1>Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio, chair of the House Select

0:00:13.160 --> 0:00:16.840
<v Speaker 1>Committee on Intelligence, who has been pushing for these votes

0:00:16.880 --> 0:00:19.759
<v Speaker 1>for some time now. Mister Chairman, welcome to Bloomberg. We're

0:00:19.800 --> 0:00:21.759
<v Speaker 1>glad to have you here. I wonder your thoughts on

0:00:21.800 --> 0:00:23.880
<v Speaker 1>what we just heard from the Speaker of the House.

0:00:24.400 --> 0:00:27.520
<v Speaker 1>I really do believe the intel and the briefings that

0:00:27.560 --> 0:00:30.600
<v Speaker 1>we've gotten, and it comes just hours after your committee,

0:00:30.600 --> 0:00:33.879
<v Speaker 1>yourself and the ranking member of the Intelligence Commission Committee

0:00:33.880 --> 0:00:37.159
<v Speaker 1>issued a statement that made clear that Ukraine funding needed.

0:00:36.960 --> 0:00:38.839
<v Speaker 2>To pass this week.

0:00:39.440 --> 0:00:41.639
<v Speaker 1>Can you speak to the urgency as to why this

0:00:41.720 --> 0:00:45.440
<v Speaker 1>week and what you told Speaker Johnson to bring him

0:00:45.479 --> 0:00:46.000
<v Speaker 1>to this point?

0:00:47.360 --> 0:00:50.599
<v Speaker 3>Joe, Well, the intelligence is very clear. Ukraine is at

0:00:50.600 --> 0:00:53.199
<v Speaker 3>a critical point. As the Speaker just said, they are

0:00:53.280 --> 0:00:58.320
<v Speaker 3>running out of ammunition. Russia is certainly surging and putting

0:00:58.320 --> 0:01:01.400
<v Speaker 3>additional pressure on that front line, and also the lack

0:01:01.440 --> 0:01:05.400
<v Speaker 3>of US support is impacting morale even in Ukraine. But

0:01:05.440 --> 0:01:08.600
<v Speaker 3>their ability to be able to sustain the fight, and

0:01:08.640 --> 0:01:13.000
<v Speaker 3>they are fighting honorably to keep Russia from taking additional

0:01:13.040 --> 0:01:16.959
<v Speaker 3>ground in Ukraine is essential. Also, we have the issue

0:01:16.959 --> 0:01:21.120
<v Speaker 3>of that in this package. I think this will result

0:01:21.160 --> 0:01:25.240
<v Speaker 3>in the Administration giving additional weapons capabilities to Ukraine so

0:01:25.280 --> 0:01:26.160
<v Speaker 3>we can change the.

0:01:28.040 --> 0:01:29.240
<v Speaker 2>Dynamics on the battlefield.

0:01:29.240 --> 0:01:31.679
<v Speaker 3>They need longer range weapons, they need to be able

0:01:31.720 --> 0:01:34.160
<v Speaker 3>to hit Crimea, they need to be able to hit

0:01:34.280 --> 0:01:37.919
<v Speaker 3>the supply lines of Russia as they're coming into Ukraine

0:01:37.920 --> 0:01:38.920
<v Speaker 3>as part of this aggression.

0:01:39.080 --> 0:01:40.560
<v Speaker 2>I think this package is.

0:01:40.480 --> 0:01:43.840
<v Speaker 3>Desperately needed to turn the tide on this conflict and

0:01:44.040 --> 0:01:45.480
<v Speaker 3>support Ukraine.

0:01:46.440 --> 0:01:48.720
<v Speaker 4>But sir, how quickly can it do? So you speak

0:01:48.760 --> 0:01:52.040
<v Speaker 4>of changing the dynamics on the ground, how quickly can

0:01:52.120 --> 0:01:54.640
<v Speaker 4>this make a difference in a fight that Ukraine has

0:01:54.680 --> 0:01:57.960
<v Speaker 4>already engaged in, knowing there may be a lag for

0:01:58.040 --> 0:01:59.080
<v Speaker 4>them to receive some of this.

0:02:00.080 --> 0:02:03.160
<v Speaker 2>So I've asked this question both to our Department of Defense.

0:02:03.200 --> 0:02:08.080
<v Speaker 3>We had the US ambassador from Ukraine, the US Master

0:02:08.200 --> 0:02:11.040
<v Speaker 3>Chie Ukraine that was here with us today. All of

0:02:11.080 --> 0:02:13.880
<v Speaker 3>them report that we are boys going to get this

0:02:13.960 --> 0:02:18.080
<v Speaker 3>aid to them immediately. So if this passage passes, and

0:02:18.080 --> 0:02:22.440
<v Speaker 3>I think it will overwhelmingly this Saturday, the United States

0:02:22.480 --> 0:02:24.799
<v Speaker 3>is POI to make certain that the ammunition is in

0:02:24.840 --> 0:02:27.320
<v Speaker 3>the hands of the Ukrainians and that they're able to

0:02:27.360 --> 0:02:28.960
<v Speaker 3>take it directly to the fight with Russia.

0:02:30.520 --> 0:02:33.320
<v Speaker 1>There's been a call for border funding as well. Of course,

0:02:33.360 --> 0:02:36.880
<v Speaker 1>this is a big debate leading into the Senate bill

0:02:37.120 --> 0:02:39.920
<v Speaker 1>that passed. I know border aid was a question in

0:02:40.000 --> 0:02:43.040
<v Speaker 1>the Senate, Congressman, and there was an attempt to get

0:02:43.040 --> 0:02:46.480
<v Speaker 1>some border legislation cleared through rules last evening.

0:02:46.520 --> 0:02:47.359
<v Speaker 2>It didn't work out.

0:02:47.480 --> 0:02:51.000
<v Speaker 1>Congressman chip Roy, you're a colleague from Texas, issued a

0:02:51.040 --> 0:02:53.880
<v Speaker 1>statement saying sorry, not sorry. If we're opposing a crappy

0:02:54.000 --> 0:02:56.680
<v Speaker 1>rule that is a show vote, a cover vote for

0:02:56.760 --> 0:03:00.600
<v Speaker 1>funding Ukraine instead of border security. The refrain been hearing

0:03:00.600 --> 0:03:04.480
<v Speaker 1>from the Republican conferences. Protect our own border before we

0:03:04.560 --> 0:03:08.400
<v Speaker 1>do so our allies. Will there be a border piece

0:03:08.560 --> 0:03:11.000
<v Speaker 1>that comes along with this legislation this weekend?

0:03:11.760 --> 0:03:12.240
<v Speaker 2>The House has.

0:03:12.200 --> 0:03:16.040
<v Speaker 3>Already passed HR two that would effectively complete the border

0:03:16.120 --> 0:03:19.239
<v Speaker 3>wall and close the border and at the same time

0:03:20.000 --> 0:03:24.320
<v Speaker 3>hold accountable the administration for what they've created.

0:03:23.960 --> 0:03:26.440
<v Speaker 2>In this open border situation. Well over inter still in peace.

0:03:26.480 --> 0:03:29.360
<v Speaker 1>It didn't get a single democratic Bothe though, mister Chairman,

0:03:29.400 --> 0:03:32.680
<v Speaker 1>will it be attached to this package again for another look?

0:03:33.160 --> 0:03:34.920
<v Speaker 3>I want to see what the final packages that comes

0:03:35.000 --> 0:03:37.840
<v Speaker 3>off the House floor Saturday, but currently it is not

0:03:38.120 --> 0:03:41.080
<v Speaker 3>expected to be attached to the Ukrainian funding, the Israeli

0:03:41.080 --> 0:03:44.680
<v Speaker 3>funding and the other and the funding for Southeast Asia.

0:03:44.720 --> 0:03:47.040
<v Speaker 3>But this bill is sitting over in the Senate and

0:03:47.080 --> 0:03:47.920
<v Speaker 3>it is a bill.

0:03:47.760 --> 0:03:48.680
<v Speaker 2>That needs to pass.

0:03:48.880 --> 0:03:53.360
<v Speaker 3>Overwhelmingly, the American public are just disgusted and just shocked

0:03:53.520 --> 0:03:58.200
<v Speaker 3>if the administration is not doing anything to protect what

0:03:58.400 --> 0:04:01.680
<v Speaker 3>is the environment, the threat environment that we have in

0:04:01.720 --> 0:04:03.520
<v Speaker 3>the country as a result of these eight million people

0:04:03.560 --> 0:04:06.520
<v Speaker 3>who walked across the border. The FBI director has repeatedly

0:04:06.560 --> 0:04:09.560
<v Speaker 3>said that we're the highest threat level currently for a

0:04:09.680 --> 0:04:12.200
<v Speaker 3>terrorist attack in this country as a result of the

0:04:12.200 --> 0:04:15.000
<v Speaker 3>open border. The Biden administration needs to take action, and

0:04:15.000 --> 0:04:18.200
<v Speaker 3>certainly this House has with SAR two and the City

0:04:18.279 --> 0:04:19.640
<v Speaker 3>should take up that bill immediately.

0:04:21.279 --> 0:04:23.320
<v Speaker 4>Well, mister Chairman, as you rightly point out, it's not

0:04:23.400 --> 0:04:27.040
<v Speaker 4>just aid for Israel and Ukraine and Taiwan that are included.

0:04:27.080 --> 0:04:29.480
<v Speaker 4>There are other elements as well. But on the subject

0:04:29.480 --> 0:04:32.240
<v Speaker 4>of Israel, of course, we are still waiting to see

0:04:32.279 --> 0:04:34.839
<v Speaker 4>what the response from Israel might be to the Iranian

0:04:34.880 --> 0:04:38.320
<v Speaker 4>attack over this past weekend, which of course the US,

0:04:38.400 --> 0:04:42.239
<v Speaker 4>together with others like the UK, did intercept the vast

0:04:42.240 --> 0:04:45.800
<v Speaker 4>majority of what was sent Israel's way. Knowing that that

0:04:45.920 --> 0:04:50.200
<v Speaker 4>attack largely was unsuccessful, what would be a proportionate response

0:04:50.240 --> 0:04:52.599
<v Speaker 4>from Israel. Is it possible in your mind, Sir, that

0:04:52.720 --> 0:04:54.120
<v Speaker 4>Israel could go too far?

0:04:55.520 --> 0:04:57.720
<v Speaker 3>I will leave it to what their response should be,

0:04:57.760 --> 0:05:00.680
<v Speaker 3>But first of all, let's put this in perspective. Unfortunately,

0:05:00.720 --> 0:05:03.400
<v Speaker 3>this administration believes that if you use missile defense to

0:05:03.880 --> 0:05:06.000
<v Speaker 3>thwart an attack, that the attack didn't happen.

0:05:06.040 --> 0:05:07.000
<v Speaker 2>The attack did happen.

0:05:07.600 --> 0:05:11.960
<v Speaker 3>Iran attacked Israel directly from its soil with over three

0:05:12.040 --> 0:05:16.240
<v Speaker 3>hundred drones and missiles. Previously, though Iran has been continuously

0:05:16.240 --> 0:05:19.800
<v Speaker 3>attacking Israel through Hamas HESBLA and of course through the

0:05:19.800 --> 0:05:23.040
<v Speaker 3>Hoho thies have been even attacking our commercial shipping lanes.

0:05:23.560 --> 0:05:26.880
<v Speaker 3>They train them, they equipped and provide them weapons.

0:05:26.920 --> 0:05:28.640
<v Speaker 2>To these groups and terrorist organizations.

0:05:28.680 --> 0:05:32.160
<v Speaker 3>Of course, AMAS or betraying the October seventh attackle on Israel.

0:05:32.360 --> 0:05:35.840
<v Speaker 3>So Iran already has been attacking Israel. This is the

0:05:35.839 --> 0:05:38.599
<v Speaker 3>first time that it was direct and certainly I don't

0:05:38.600 --> 0:05:42.520
<v Speaker 3>think that just because missile defense is effective that Iran

0:05:42.880 --> 0:05:44.320
<v Speaker 3>or the United Say.

0:05:44.279 --> 0:05:45.040
<v Speaker 2>Should look the other way.

0:05:46.200 --> 0:05:48.640
<v Speaker 1>So if the attacker doesn't lay a glove on you.

0:05:48.640 --> 0:05:51.480
<v Speaker 1>You still respond, is what you're saying, mister Chairman. But

0:05:51.600 --> 0:05:55.240
<v Speaker 1>what is a proportionate response? What could Israel do here

0:05:55.279 --> 0:05:58.560
<v Speaker 1>as a military answer that would not wear on the

0:05:58.600 --> 0:06:01.440
<v Speaker 1>alliance that includes the UK, France and others. This has

0:06:01.480 --> 0:06:05.200
<v Speaker 1>been a very delicate matter, of course domestically for President Biden.

0:06:05.560 --> 0:06:06.440
<v Speaker 2>What's the right move?

0:06:07.080 --> 0:06:10.120
<v Speaker 3>Well, you know, certainly they won't be sending three hundred

0:06:10.320 --> 0:06:16.279
<v Speaker 3>missiles and kamikaze drones into Iran. So I think if

0:06:16.320 --> 0:06:19.240
<v Speaker 3>you're asking for what is a proportionate issue, I think

0:06:19.320 --> 0:06:22.760
<v Speaker 3>certainly Israel's not going to be responding at the same

0:06:22.839 --> 0:06:26.040
<v Speaker 3>level that I Ran did. Iran sent a lethal force

0:06:26.760 --> 0:06:30.160
<v Speaker 3>toward Israel, and it just because we have invested with them,

0:06:30.160 --> 0:06:32.680
<v Speaker 3>we've co developed their missile defense, and of course we

0:06:32.800 --> 0:06:36.440
<v Speaker 3>ate it. As you widely reported, Joe, the u K

0:06:36.920 --> 0:06:41.320
<v Speaker 3>was part of that umbrella that gave missile defense its

0:06:41.400 --> 0:06:44.040
<v Speaker 3>ability to take down these missiles. But this was a

0:06:44.120 --> 0:06:47.520
<v Speaker 3>serious threat and attack by Iran and it should be

0:06:47.520 --> 0:06:48.320
<v Speaker 3>be viewed as such.

0:06:50.680 --> 0:06:53.120
<v Speaker 4>Sir. We'd like to turn back to just the affairs

0:06:53.160 --> 0:06:56.159
<v Speaker 4>in your chamber with our final minutes, with you knowing

0:06:56.200 --> 0:06:59.080
<v Speaker 4>that the cost of bringing aid for Israel and Ukraine

0:06:59.080 --> 0:07:03.039
<v Speaker 4>and everyone else to the may be ultimately the Speaker's gavel.

0:07:03.279 --> 0:07:05.960
<v Speaker 4>What is your degree of confidence that Mike Johnson, having

0:07:06.000 --> 0:07:08.479
<v Speaker 4>said today that he will not change the rules that

0:07:08.520 --> 0:07:11.560
<v Speaker 4>allows any one member to bring forward a motion to vacate,

0:07:11.680 --> 0:07:13.600
<v Speaker 4>is going to be able to make it out the

0:07:13.640 --> 0:07:15.440
<v Speaker 4>other side of this. Is it a mistake for him

0:07:15.480 --> 0:07:17.920
<v Speaker 4>not to change those rules? Would that be a better decision?

0:07:18.280 --> 0:07:21.240
<v Speaker 3>Now we Speaker Johnson is being incredibly courageous, and you've

0:07:21.240 --> 0:07:23.560
<v Speaker 3>heard him as you were reporting. He is saying he's

0:07:23.560 --> 0:07:27.640
<v Speaker 3>doing the right thing, and certainly he should be rewarded

0:07:27.680 --> 0:07:30.960
<v Speaker 3>for doing the right thing bringing this bill to the

0:07:31.000 --> 0:07:33.040
<v Speaker 3>floor so that we can pass this on to the Senate,

0:07:33.320 --> 0:07:36.960
<v Speaker 3>and since the presence desk is essential for our national security,

0:07:37.320 --> 0:07:41.680
<v Speaker 3>and I certainly did, but I think overwhelmingly the membership

0:07:41.760 --> 0:07:44.280
<v Speaker 3>of Congress is thankful that he's doing so. Now. I

0:07:44.320 --> 0:07:47.000
<v Speaker 3>don't think that the small band of the Chaos Caucus,

0:07:47.400 --> 0:07:51.360
<v Speaker 3>those who want to remove to Johnson, have the votes

0:07:51.400 --> 0:07:53.160
<v Speaker 3>on the Democrat side to be able to remove. You

0:07:53.160 --> 0:07:56.440
<v Speaker 3>have to remember that the small group that removed Kevin

0:07:56.480 --> 0:07:59.080
<v Speaker 3>McCarthy could only do so with the support of the

0:07:59.080 --> 0:08:01.440
<v Speaker 3>Democrats on the floor, and I think this time that

0:08:01.440 --> 0:08:03.800
<v Speaker 3>if they go to the floor, they're going to stand alone.

0:08:04.160 --> 0:08:06.800
<v Speaker 3>There'll be a very small minority, they'll be exposed for

0:08:06.840 --> 0:08:09.080
<v Speaker 3>being a very small minority, and they will be unsuccessful.

0:08:10.760 --> 0:08:13.119
<v Speaker 4>All Right, mister chairman, thank you so much for joining

0:08:13.200 --> 0:08:16.560
<v Speaker 4>us this evening. That's House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner

0:08:16.560 --> 0:08:18.080
<v Speaker 4>of Ohio. We appreciate your time, sir,