The U.S. House of Representatives voted 226-195 to pass the Ukraine Support Act, bringing members from both sides of the aisle to oppose Russia's invasion of Ukraine and support a negotiated end to the war.
If enacted, the act would provide more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid to Ukraine and authorize an additional $8 billion in defense loans. It would also impose new financial sanctions and export restrictions on Russia, which would remain in place until Russia ends its war against Ukraine.
"For years, the Ukrainian people have demonstrated remarkable courage and perseverance in their fight for democracy and the preservation of their sovereignty,” Representative Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) said.
In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating a conflict that began with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The war has been concentrated in eastern and southern Ukraine and involved large-scale ground combat, missile and drone attacks and military support for Ukraine from the United States and other Western allies.
The vote to support Ukraine came just after the House also passed a War Powers Resolution urging President Donald Trump to end the ongoing war in Iran. Similar to this resolution, the Ukraine Support Act must pass the Senate before it can be sent to the president. For now, it remains a symbol of members’ anti-war sentiment.
But the bill was not just about communicating lawmakers’ support for Ukraine and ending the war, Rep. Fletcher said.
“It is critical that we hold Russia accountable through tougher sanctions and lay the groundwork for Ukraine's reconstruction, and I urge the Senate to take up this legislation without delay."
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) agreed that it was necessary for the House to act and voice its opposition to Russia's past military actions against Ukraine.
“For the past four years, Russia has committed war crimes against the country of Ukraine — from raping women to killing innocent civilians to kidnapping children and sending them to the frontlines,” Rep. McCaul said.
Although the war has been ongoing for years, civilian and military casualty rates have reached an all-time high in recent months.
Rep. McCaul said just days before the House vote, Putin fired three missiles at Kyiv, among other “barbaric attacks,” which reiterates “his utter disdain for peace.”
“Today’s bipartisan vote sends a strong message to Ukraine that we support them and a clear message to Putin that we stand against Russian tyranny,” Rep. McCaul said.
