The House passed legislation Thursday providing more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid to Ukraine, along with $8 billion available through loans for the country's defense. The 226-195 vote represents the second major foreign policy break with President Trump this week, following a House-approved war powers resolution aimed at halting U.S. military action against Iran the day before.
Eighteen Republicans joined all Democrats to advance the bill sponsored by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York. The legislation also imposes sanctions on key segments of the Russian economy. House members forced the vote by gathering 218 signatures on a discharge petition, a legislative tool that allows a majority of the chamber to bypass leadership.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise warned that the bill would undermine ongoing negotiations between Congress and the White House designed to achieve stronger results. Scalise described the talks as complicated but said they would yield positive results if lawmakers did not pass legislation that undermines the negotiating position.
Rep. French Hill, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said he supports Ukraine but called the measure flawed and outdated. The Arkansas Republican argued it actually cuts funding for the Ukraine security assistance initiative compared to what Congress had already agreed to in this year's defense policy. He also warned that another section could lead to a decrease in NATO spending.
Rep. Brian Mast, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, called the bill "unserious" and said it was crafted roughly a year and a half ago. The Florida Republican characterized it as "a cudgel to fight against President Trump."
Meeks framed the vote as a choice between helping Ukraine negotiate from a position of strength or allowing it to accept unfavorable terms. He warned that abandoning Ukraine would force it into a terrible deal, which he said is what Vladimir Putin expects.
Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska broke with most Republican colleagues to support the bill. "Are we going to stand with good or are we going to stand with evil? That's what this is about tonight," he said.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who signed the discharge petition and voted for the bill, said the House passage would send a message to Ukraine's soldiers and to Putin. "We do have a pulse here, that we do care about Ukraine and that we are going to utilize our authority to help them," Fitzpatrick said.
Supporters hope the House vote will pressure the Senate to act, though they acknowledge the chamber likely will not pass the bill unless Trump endorses it. The last major legislation to bolster Ukraine support occurred in April 2024, with only modest amounts included in appropriations bills since then.
The House passed legislation Thursday providing more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid to Ukraine, along with $8 billion available through loans for the country's defense. The 226-195 vote represents the second major foreign policy break with President Trump this week, following a House-approved war powers resolution aimed at halting U.S. military action against Iran the day before.
Eighteen Republicans joined all Democrats to advance the bill sponsored by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York. The legislation also imposes sanctions on key segments of the Russian economy. House members forced the vote by gathering 218 signatures on a discharge petition, a legislative tool that allows a majority of the chamber to bypass leadership.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise warned that the bill would undermine ongoing negotiations between Congress and the White House designed to achieve stronger results. Scalise described the talks as complicated but said they would yield positive results if lawmakers did not pass legislation that undermines the negotiating position.
Rep. French Hill, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said he supports Ukraine but called the measure flawed and outdated. The Arkansas Republican argued it actually cuts funding for the Ukraine security assistance initiative compared to what Congress had already agreed to in this year's defense policy. He also warned that another section could lead to a decrease in NATO spending.
Rep. Brian Mast, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, called the bill "unserious" and said it was crafted roughly a year and a half ago. The Florida Republican characterized it as "a cudgel to fight against President Trump."
Meeks framed the vote as a choice between helping Ukraine negotiate from a position of strength or allowing it to accept unfavorable terms. He warned that abandoning Ukraine would force it into a terrible deal, which he said is what Vladimir Putin expects.
Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska broke with most Republican colleagues to support the bill. "Are we going to stand with good or are we going to stand with evil? That's what this is about tonight," he said.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who signed the discharge petition and voted for the bill, said the House passage would send a message to Ukraine's soldiers and to Putin. "We do have a pulse here, that we do care about Ukraine and that we are going to utilize our authority to help them," Fitzpatrick said.
Supporters hope the House vote will pressure the Senate to act, though they acknowledge the chamber likely will not pass the bill unless Trump endorses it. The U.S. has approved roughly $195 billion for the Ukraine response, with about a quarter going to replenish American weapons stockpiles, according to the latest quarterly inspector general report for Operation Atlantic Resolve. The last major legislation to bolster Ukraine support occurred in April 2024, with only modest amounts included in appropriations bills since then.
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