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The House approved a Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions package after a discharge petition forced the measure to the floor over objections from Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump’s push for negotiations.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The House of Representatives passed a Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions package Thursday, approving $9 billion in additional support for Ukraine while imposing new penalties on Russia, despite opposition from House Republican leadership and President Donald Trump’s push for Moscow and Kyiv to negotiate an end to the war.
The measure passed 226-195, according to CNN, marking the first major pro-Ukraine vote of Trump’s second term. The bill includes new sanctions targeting Russian banks, oil and mining companies, a ban on Russian oil imports and 500% tariffs on all other Russian imports entering the United States.
The legislation also authorizes an $8 billion extension of the Biden-era lend-lease program for Ukraine to purchase weapons and provides $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid, according to PBS NewsHour.
Speaker Mike Johnson urged House Republicans to oppose the measure, arguing during a closed-door meeting Wednesday that lawmakers should give Trump room to negotiate with Russia, CNN reported, citing a person familiar with the meeting.
The bill reached the House floor only after supporters bypassed GOP leadership through a discharge petition, a procedural move used to force a vote without the speaker’s approval. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., a centrist Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, worked for months with Rep. Greg Meeks, D-N.Y., to secure the 218 signatures needed to bring the legislation forward. California Rep. Kevin Kiley, an independent who frequently votes with Republicans, provided the final signature, according to CNN.
Eighteen Republicans voted for the bill: Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Rep. Ryan Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, Rep. Mike Carey of Ohio, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Rep. Andrew Garbarino of New York, Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Rep. Jeff Hurd of Colorado, Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio, Rep. Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Rep. Nick LaLota of New York, Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, Rep. Greg Murphy of North Carolina, Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington, Rep. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio and Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina.
Their votes amounted to a public break with Trump’s current approach to the Russia-Ukraine war. The president has called for both sides to make concessions and has pushed for direct negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, making the request in a letter sent to Putin, according to The Guardian.
Trump addressed the letter Monday, saying, “I think it would be great if they met,” and urging the two leaders to “get it done.”
When asked what compromises he wanted to see from Russia and Ukraine, Trump declined to specify, but said both sides would have to give ground.
“I’ve been very strong on the fact that they’ve got to get that over with,” Trump said. “I want them each to make certain compromises. I think they’re going to do that.”
The House vote exposed ongoing divisions inside the Republican Party over Ukraine policy. Some Republicans continue to support additional aid and sanctions against Russia, while others argue the United States should not provide more assistance to Ukraine and should instead support Trump’s effort to negotiate an end to the war.
The bill now advances after a floor fight that bypassed Johnson, split Republicans and delivered a rare House rebuke of Trump’s posture toward the conflict.
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