18 Republicans Back $9 Billion Ukraine Aid
The House of Representatives approved a new package on Thursday that adds another round of aid for Ukraine and tighter sanctions on Russia. The vote landed at 226 to 195. Eighteen Republicans voted yes, along with one independent who often votes with the GOP.
The bill includes sanctions on Russian banks, oil companies, and mining firms. It also bars Russian oil imports and sets 500% tariffs on other Russian imports into the United States. On top of that, it extends Biden’s lend-lease program for Ukraine by $8 billion so Kyiv can keep buying weapons. Another $1 billion goes toward security and reconstruction aid.
The move came at a time when Trump is pushing both sides toward negotiations instead of more escalation. After Zelensky sent a letter calling for face-to-face talks with Putin, Trump said, “I think it would be great if they met” and urged them to “get it done.”
When asked later what he wanted each side to give up, Trump kept it broad. “they’re going to make both make compromises,” he said. He also added, “I’ve been very strong on the fact that they’ve got to get that over with,” he said. “I want them each to make certain compromises. I think they’re going to do that.”
Speaker Mike Johnson had pressed Republicans to vote no and said they should give Trump room to work. But the bill still made it through after a discharge petition forced it onto the floor. That process took a revolt against leadership, with California Rep. Kevin Kiley supplying the final signature.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a GOP centrist and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, worked for months with Rep. Greg Meeks, a Democrat from New York, to secure the 218 signatures needed to move the bill forward without Johnson’s approval.
The vote shows how divided Republicans still are on Ukraine. Some want a harder line against Russia. Others want Washington to stop writing checks and let Trump drive the peace push. For now, the House sent a loud message anyway: the fight over Ukraine is far from settled.