WASHINGTON — The House passed bipartisan legislation Thursday that would provide new aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions against Russia, largely clashing with the Trump administration’s approach to the war.
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The 226-195 vote included support from 18 Republicans, who joined all but one Democrat in approving the measure.
The Ukraine Support Act, sponsored by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, came to the House floor after enough Republicans crossed the aisle to side with Democrats and circumvent GOP leadership, which had prevented a vote on the legislation.
The bill would authorize $8 billion in loans to Ukraine and NATO allies under the Foreign Military Financing program, as well as more than $1 billion in other funds for Ukraine, Baltic security and Radio Free Europe.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces a steeper uphill climb with Republicans. If it is passed, it would then need to be signed by President Donald Trump to become law.
Four Republicans voted with Democrats on Wednesday to pass a resolution to rebuke the war in Iran. The largely symbolic measure, also introduced by Meeks, directed Trump to remove U.S. forces from Iran unless Congress authorizes it. That came after Republicans rejected three other attempts to pass a war powers resolution this year.
The Trump administration has failed to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Trump boasted during the 2024 campaign that he would end the war “in 24 hours” when he was re-elected president. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a hearing on Capitol Hill this week that negotiations between the two countries have stalled.
Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying in March that he was “far more difficult” to make a deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After Thursday’s vote, Meeks said it “demonstrates the House stands on the right side of history.”
“For the last 18 months, Russia has bombed, killed with impunity,” he said at a news conference. “But we say no more.”
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, one of the Republicans who voted for the measure, said “tonight is the beginning,” adding that he would be working to persuade the Senate to pass the bill.
“Because this isn’t about a messaging bill, this is not about virtue signaling. This is about actually getting help to people who are fighting not just for Ukraine,” he said.
