Volodymyr Dedey / Dzerkalo Tyzhnia
Funds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Sanctions Against Russia at Stake
In the U.S. House of Representatives, supporters of Ukraine have gathered the necessary 218 signatures to force a vote on a bill for new aid to Kyiv. The document provides for $1.3 billion in security assistance, up to $8 billion in loan aid, funding for post-war reconstruction, and new sanctions against Russia. The vote could take place at the end of May.
This is reported by The New York Times.
The decisive signature came from Congressman Kevin Kiley from California, who joined the so-called discharge petition — a procedure that allows a bill to be brought to the House floor even without the leadership’s support. His signature became the 218th — the minimum required to trigger the process.
What the Bill Provides
The initiative is promoted by the leading Democrat of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks. The bill had remained stalled for months due to the lack of one vote to bypass Republican leadership.
The document provides for $1.3 billion in security aid to Ukraine, as well as up to $8 billion in loans. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for replenishing U.S. weapon stockpiles, creating mechanisms for financing Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, and imposing new sanctions against Russia and entities supporting its military actions.
The petition was supported by all House Democrats, as well as two Republicans — Don Bacon from Nebraska and Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania. Given the Republicans’ slim majority in the House, this was enough to reach the required threshold.
“Ukraine’s recent successes have opened the door to peace, but the failure of the latest ceasefire shows that leverage is needed for diplomacy to succeed,” Kiley said on Wednesday, explaining his decision to sign the petition.
According to him, Congress has the opportunity to act jointly across both parties to support long-term peace and protect the interests of the U.S. and its partners.
Blow to Johnson’s Authority
Meanwhile, the likelihood of the bill’s final adoption remains low due to resistance from many Republicans and U.S. President Donald Trump’s skeptical stance on further large-scale support for Ukraine.
As noted by NYT, the success of this petition dealt another blow to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who is having difficulty managing his faction and the Congressional agenda due to the Republicans’ fragile majority.
Recall, according to The Washington Post, some partners have refused to transfer their Patriot missile stockpiles to Ukraine.
