U.S. House of Representatives Approves Ukraine Aid Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would provide military assistance to Ukraine and impose tougher sanctions on Russia.

The measure was approved by 226 lawmakers, while 195 voted against it, according to The Hill.

The bill includes provisions to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery, as well as more than $1 billion in aid for Kyiv and up to $8 billion in direct loans to help Ukraine purchase weapons and military equipment.

The bill passed despite calls from Republican leaders to vote against it. Alongside 207 Democrats, 18 Republicans and one independent congressman voted in favor of the measure.

The legislation, introduced by New York Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, also calls for tough sanctions on key sectors of the Russian economy, including financial institutions, the oil and mining industries, and government officials.

The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration. However, its prospects there appear uncertain, as Republicans hold the majority in the upper chamber of Congress.

The House was able to vote on the measure through a discharge petition – a procedural tool that allows lawmakers to bypass House leadership and force a vote if at least 218 members sign the petition.

The decisive 218th signature was provided by independent Congressman Kevin Kiley. As a result, the House of Representatives was required to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

Republicans who opposed the legislation argued that its text was outdated and dismissed it as a “purely partisan messaging bill” intended to sow divisions within their party.

In a letter to fellow Republicans, Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Democrats’ move could undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to help broker an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Gregory Meeks accused Republicans of weakening Ukraine’s position by repeatedly blocking sanctions against Russia and delaying military assistance.

In early May, it was reported that the Trump administration did not include funding for military aid to Ukraine in its request for a record $1.5 trillion U.S. defense budget for fiscal year 2027.