House passes new Ukraine aid package and Russia sanctions despite Republican leaders’ opposition
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill expanding aid to Ukraine and imposing new sanctions on Russia, marking the first such measure since the start of Donald Trump’s second presidency, according to CNN and The Associated Press.
Before reaching the floor, the bill had been stalled for months in the Rules Committee. It was ultimately brought forward through a special discharge petition, with the deciding vote cast by independent Rep. Kevin Kiley.
The bill 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 to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027 through the USAI weapons procurement program.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Republicans to oppose the bill, arguing in a closed-door meeting that President Donald Trump should have room to negotiate with Russia, CNN reported.
Despite that, the bill passed 226-195. In all, 18 Republicans and one independent who often votes with Republicans defied party leadership and voted in favor of the measure.
The only Democrat to vote against the bill alongside Republicans was Rep. Ilhan Omar.
After passing the House, the bill must still clear the Senate. Supporters of the measure, however, doubt it can reach the 60 votes needed there.
“It’s probably not going to get 60 votes in the Senate, but it’s going to hopefully force the Senate to address the issue. It’s going to send a great message to the soldiers of Ukraine,” Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who voted for the bill, said.
He said the vote would also send a message to Putin that “we do have a pulse here, that we do care about Ukraine and that we are going to utilize our authority to help them.”
If the bill is taken up by the Senate and approved, it would mark Congress’ first major step on Ukraine aid since the supplemental funding bill passed in spring 2024 during Joe Biden’s presidency.
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