Rep. French Hill: GOP Voters Want Putin Defeated in Ukraine

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s attempt to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson if he puts Ukraine aid to a vote and reauthorizes key surveillance tool 702 is a misguided step, because GOP backers want to see Russian President Vladimir Putin defeated, Rep. French Hill told CBS News’ “Face The Nation” on Sunday.

“We should draw the line on authoritarian dictators, particularly permanent members of the [U.N.] Security Council invading neighboring countries,” the Arkansas Republican said.

“And I believe both Democratic, independent, and Republican voters support defeating Putin, backing Ukraine, and having a resolution here. It is not in America’s economic, diplomatic, or military interest for Putin to be successful in Europe or in the Far East.”

Regarding 702, which is set to expire on April 19, Hill said, “I am confident that we will have support for renewing the authorization for the use of 702, which is a critical element.”

Hill, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, stressed that he’s “seen in intimate detail the vital role that 702 surveillance plays in keeping America safe.”

“I think Congress will come together and will reauthorize its use,” he said.

“That’s also going to be part of 50 reforms in how the FISA court — the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court — … operates. And it’ll be the first serious reforms in probably some 20 years. And these are 50 bipartisan reforms and reforms that I believe have the full support of House Republicans.”

Discussing a timeline for having a vote on Ukraine aid, Hill said he thinks Johnson will bring up support for the supplemental appropriations for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel immediately after completing the work on FISA and FISA’s extension.

“That deadline of April 19 makes it a priority for the first few days that we’re back,” he said. “But Ukraine remains a priority, as does our support for Israel and Taiwan. And I believe he’s fully committed to bringing it up to the floor immediately thereafter. And I think that’s critical, as it should have been passed months ago.”

Hill also said that he backs states working with the federal government to get the Baltimore bridge back open.

The Arkansas congressman pointed out that there was “a serious collapse of the Interstate 40 bridge over the Mississippi River in Memphis” — which links Tennessee to Arkansas. “And so I’m completely supportive of states working with the federal government to get the bridge back up and open as soon as possible.”

He added, “Naturally, there’s a role for insurance, private settlement with the companies and parties responsible, and then the traditional federal-state split for infrastructure program — so whatever it takes to get it done in the right way and get the bridge back functioning for the people of Baltimore.”