Dem unleashes on 'uniquely demented' MTG after she proposes amending Ukraine funding to $0

Dem unleashes on 'uniquely demented' MTG after she proposes amending Ukraine funding to $0
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) on the floor of the House of Represenatives (Image: Screengrab via C-SPAN)
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The House of Representatives is currently debating whether to pass $95.3 billion in aid to American allies overseas. And one senior House Democrat is accusing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) of being an unwitting accomplice of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During a Saturday floor speech, Rep. Adam Smith (D-Washington) sharply criticized an amendment by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) that would zero out all $60.8 billion in proposed funding for Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia. Smith said Greene had "a uniquely demented way of looking at this war" when she likened the passage of another round of funding to green-lighting the killing of Ukrainians.

"So to look at this from a pure Russian propaganda standpoint, they invade, they bomb, they kill, and it's our fault for helping Ukrainians defend themselves," Smith said. "It literally makes no sense. If you want peace, give the Ukrainians the strength to stop Putin."

READ MORE: 'Just throwing stuff at the wall': MTG losing GOP support as she threatens Mike Johnson

Smith reiterated that it wasn't Ukraine, but Russia that was acting with aggression toward its Western neighbor. He added that the only thing stopping Putin's forces from defeating the Ukrainian army and marching to the capital in Kiev was continued assistance from the U.S. government.

"The Ukrainians need our help to bring peace, to stop Putin, to stop what he is trying to do," Smith said. "We face a dangerous world. Between Russia, Iran, China, North Korea — all of whom are working together, by the way. If we don't help Ukraine stop Russia, it helps Iran, that helps China, that helps North Korea. This is about our national security."

Greene has consistently opposed sending additional funds to Ukraine, maintaining that if House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) continues to ignore her objections, she will bring a motion to vacate him to the floor. Former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colorado), who left Congress last month, suggested Greene was so motivated to amass social media followers that she was willing to spread pro-Putin propaganda.

"‘Moscow Marjorie’ is focused now on this Ukraine issue and getting her talking points from the Kremlin and making sure she is popular and she is getting a lot of coverage," Buck told CNN.

READ MORE: Zelensky has a message for Republicans who went on vacation with approving Ukraine aid

In addition to the $60.8 billion for Ukraine, lawmakers are also debating bills that would send additional funds to Israel in support of its ongoing offensive in Gaza, and to help Taiwan shore up its defenses in the event of a possible Chinese invasion. Two other Republicans — Reps. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) and Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) — have indicated they would support Greene's effort to oust Johnson over his support for the foreign aid package.

Because Republicans have such a small majority, Johnson could lose the speaker's gavel if all Democrats join Reps. Gosar, Greene and Massie to oust Johnson. However, several House Democrats have indicated that they would be willing to keep Johnson in his position if he moved Ukraine aid through the chamber.

Should they pass the House of Representatives, the foreign aid bills would also likely pass the Democratic-controlled Senate to President Joe Biden's desk.

Watch the video of Smith's speech below, or by clicking this link.

READ MORE: 'We'll protect him': Dems say they'll side with Johnson after MTG files motion to vacate


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