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The US House of Representatives has approved legislation providing expanded assistance to Ukraine and imposing new sanctions on Russia. It is the first major Ukraine-related measure passed since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, UATV English informs.
According to CNN and AP, the bill had been stalled for months in the Rules Committee and was only brought to the floor after a special discharge petition succeeded. The decisive vote came from independent Congressman Kevin Kiley.
The legislation would extend the Ukraine lend-lease program through 2028, provide up to $8 billion in direct military loans to Ukraine and NATO allies in 2026, and allocate $300 million annually to Ukraine through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) in 2026 and 2027.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Republicans to oppose the bill, arguing during a closed-door meeting that President Trump should have room to pursue negotiations with Russia, CNN reported.
Despite that opposition, the bill passed by a vote of 226 to 195. Eighteen Republicans and one independent lawmaker who frequently votes with Republicans broke with party leadership and supported the legislation.
The only Democrat to vote against the bill alongside most Republicans was Ilhan Omar.
Following approval in the House, the bill must now pass the Senate. However, supporters acknowledge that securing the 60 votes typically needed to overcome procedural obstacles in the upper chamber could prove difficult.
“It probably won’t get 60 votes in the Senate, but hopefully it will force the Senate to address the issue. It will send a powerful signal to Ukrainian soldiers,” said Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who voted in favor of the measure.
According to Fitzpatrick, the vote also sends a message to Putin that “we are not indifferent, that we care about Ukraine, and that we will use our authority to help it.”
If the bill is considered and approved by the Senate, it would mark the first significant congressional action on Ukraine assistance since the supplemental funding package passed in the spring of 2024 during the administration of President Joe Biden.
Read also: US Congress Advances $9 Billion Ukraine Aid Package
