Article Summary –
Rep. Eli Crane faces bipartisan criticism for hosting Russian lawmakers in Washington, amid tensions over Russia’s actions in Iran and Ukraine. Critics, including Rep. Joe Wilson and former congressman Adam Kinzinger, condemned the meeting as inappropriate and harmful to U.S. interests.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Eli Crane, R-Oro Valley, faces bipartisan criticism after hosting Russian lawmakers.
Friday’s meeting included five Russian Duma members and five U.S. House members, led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., who deemed it a “push for peace.”
Colleagues disagreed sharply.
“This Capitol Hill meeting is akin to hosting the Third Reich,” stated Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Members of Putin’s regime must not be welcomed.”
During their visit, the Russian delegation toured Statutory Hall and Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, plus the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center.
RELATED: Representation gap: Nez criticizes Eli Crane’s voting record
Vyacheslav Nikonov, chair of the Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Russia’s ambassador, Alexander Darchiev, were present.
Crane, a former Navy SEAL, has voiced anti-war sentiments and criticized U.S. actions in Iran as “dicey.”
“Toppling a regime isn’t the hard part,” Crane told Real America’s Voice on March 2, following the U.S. military strike in Iran.
Crane, unopposed in the July primary, has not commented publicly on the Russian visit. His office has not replied to inquiries.
“With Arizona families facing rising costs, Crane gives tours to Russian officials, right after reports of Russia aiding Iran against Americans,” said Democrat Jonathan Nez, Crane’s November opponent. “Crane prioritizes foreign interests over Arizonans.”
The visit followed EU diplomat Kaja Kallas’s claims of Russia aiding Iran with intelligence to “kill Americans.”
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia provides satellite help for Iran’s targeting of U.S. forces.
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, also denounced the lawmakers hosting Russian officials. Russian leader Vladimir Putin “should be punished, not rewarded,” he said, urging against Putin exploiting Middle Eastern conflicts.
Former Republican Congressman and CNN commentator Adam Kinzinger branded Crane a ‘traitor.’
Democrats largely oppose the visit.
“Foreign operatives of adversaries must never visit Capitol Hill,” tweeted Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., citing security concerns.
Russia’s Ukraine invasion in 2022 highlighted GOP divisions. Trump has praised Putin and criticized Zelenskyy, urging compromises on contested territories.
Crane opposes U.S. aid to Ukraine.
“Why spend money we don’t have?” he asked in a 2023 interview. In April 2023, he led Republicans questioning U.S. aid to Ukraine in a letter to President Biden.
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons License.
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