February 25, 2022
For Immediate Release
BETO WAS PUTIN’S CONGRESSIONAL PUPPET
“While serving in Congress, Beto O’Rourke was often a ‘rare vote against tough-on-Russia’ legislation. These bills increased aid to Ukraine and called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for his aggression against neighboring countries. While Governor Abbott and the people of Texas stand with Ukraine, Beto stands with Putin and his oligarchs.” – Mark Miner, Communications Director
The Daily Beast Headline: “Beto O’Rourke Was Rare Vote Against Tough-On-Russia Bills After Invasion Of Ukraine” (Daily Beast, 3/23/19) O’Rourke Opposed “Several Ukraine-Related Measures” Following Russia’s 2014 Invasion Of Crimea, Including $1 Billion In Loan Guarantees “And Support For The Country’s Defenses.” “Following Russia’s February 2014 incursion in Crimea, O’Rourke was one of just two Democrats to vote down several Ukraine-related measures, including a broad aid package—which included $1 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine and support for the country’s defenses—that passed overwhelmingly.” (Sam Brodey, “Beto O’Rourke Was Rare Vote Against Tough-On-Russia Bills After Invasion Of Ukraine,” Daily Beast, 3/23/19)
- The Legislation “Passed Overwhelmingly.” “Following Russia’s February 2014 incursion in Crimea, O’Rourke was one of just two Democrats to vote down several Ukraine-related measures, including a broad aid package—which included $1 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine and support for the country’s defenses—that passed overwhelmingly.” (Sam Brodey, “Beto O’Rourke Was Rare Vote Against Tough-On-Russia Bills After Invasion Of Ukraine,” Daily Beast, 3/23/19)
O’Rourke Voted Against A Resolution Calling Out Putin For “Carry[ing] Out A Policy Of Aggression Against Neighboring Countries Aimed At Political And Economic Domination.” “In December 2014, O’Rourke was one of 10 House members to vote against a symbolic resolution that called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for ‘carry[ing] out a policy of aggression against neighboring countries aimed at political and economic domination.’” (Sam Brodey, “Beto O’Rourke Was Rare Vote Against Tough-On-Russia Bills After Invasion Of Ukraine,” Daily Beast, 3/23/19)
- O’Rourke “Was One Of 10 House Members To Vote Against” The Resolution. “In December 2014, O’Rourke was one of 10 House members to vote against a symbolic resolution that called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for ‘carry[ing] out a policy of aggression against neighboring countries aimed at political and economic domination.’” (Sam Brodey, “Beto O’Rourke Was Rare Vote Against Tough-On-Russia Bills After Invasion Of Ukraine,” Daily Beast, 3/23/19)
O’Rourke “Repeatedly Asked Pentagon Officials If They Were Thinking About How U.S. Assistance To Ukraine… Might Lead To Unintended Consequences” While Serving On The House Armed Services Committee. “From his perch in the House Armed Services Committee, O’Rourke also repeatedly asked Pentagon officials if they were thinking about how U.S. assistance to Ukraine—and U.S. arming of rebels fighting the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a Putin ally—might lead to unintended consequences.” (Sam Brodey, “Beto O’Rourke Was Rare Vote Against Tough-On-Russia Bills After Invasion Of Ukraine,” Daily Beast, 3/23/19)
- O’Rourke’s Questions Were “Considered Notable Enough To Draw The Attention Of Sputnik News, The Kremlin-Linked News Organization, Which Interviewed O’Rourke Afterward.” “From his perch in the House Armed Services Committee, O’Rourke also repeatedly asked Pentagon officials if they were thinking about how U.S. assistance to Ukraine—and U.S. arming of rebels fighting the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a Putin ally—might lead to unintended consequences. … These questions could easily be interpreted as a skeptical legislator simply doing due diligence about a significant foreign policy issue. But they were considered notable enough to draw the attention of Sputnik News, the Kremlin-linked news organization, which interviewed O’Rourke afterward.” (Sam Brodey, “Beto O’Rourke Was Rare Vote Against Tough-On-Russia Bills After Invasion Of Ukraine,” Daily Beast, 3/23/19)
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