House Passes Ukraine Aid, Russia Sanctions Bill 218-204

The House voted 218-204 on Wednesday to advance a security package that includes new military assistance for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. All Democrats present voted in favor. Seven Republicans and Rep.

Kevin Kiley, an independent who caucuses with Republicans, joined them. The seven Republicans were Reps. Don Bacon, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Lawler, Michael McCaul, Max Miller, and Joe Wilson. Democrats and three Republicans used a discharge petition to force the vote after Speaker Mike Johnson declined to schedule it.

Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Don Bacon, and Kevin Kiley signed the petition. The legislation would authorize more than $1 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine.

It would also support postwar reconstruction of Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia and entities aiding its war effort if the conflict continues. The bill would direct NATO countries to meet a 2 percent of GDP defense spending target prior to NATO’s Washington Summit, which occurred in July 2024.

It would restore funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after the Trump administration sought to cut off the outlet’s congressionally approved funding in 2025.

Federal courts later ordered the funding restored amid an ongoing legal battle. The measure heads to a vote on final passage expected as soon as Thursday. Its prospects in the Republican-controlled Senate remain uncertain, where a bipartisan effort to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia has stalled for more than a year.

Trump is expected to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk. "This is our opportunity to provide the leverage that could prove decisive in ending this conflict on acceptable terms in a way that will deter future Russian aggression," Kiley said. "It’s just inconceivable that we should not be having additional sanctions against working with Putin," Rep.

Joe Wilson said. "Over and over again, we need to be standing with the courageous people of Ukraine. " "Democrats have repeatedly governed in the minority as if we were in the majority, and we're going to do so again this week," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, arguing his party is displaying support for "the free world, for democracy, for truth and the Ukrainian people" by forcing the vote.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has continued without resolution.