The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $9 billion aid bill for Ukraine
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill providing aid to Ukraine and extensive sanctions against Russia. The final vote was 226 to 195, writes AP.
The bill was brought to a vote thanks to the "discharge petition" procedure – 218 signatures bypassed the House leadership, which had been blocking consideration of the document.
The bill provides over $1 billion in direct aid to Ukraine for security and reconstruction, and another $8 billion in the form of defense loans. The document also includes extensive sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy.
Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, called the vote an "important step forward" and said it reflects the Congress's unwavering support for Ukraine's defense. Speaking after the vote, she warned against assuming that the legislative battle is over.
"Let's take it step by step," – Stefanishyna said to Radio Svoboda. "It is really important to pause for a moment and thank the more than 220 members of the House of Representatives who ensured support for Ukraine today," she added.
Next, the package will move to the Senate. To become law, the "Ukraine Support Act" must be introduced, put to a vote, passed by the upper chamber, and then sent to the U.S. president for signature.
It is expected that in the coming weeks, supporters of the legislation will focus on building bipartisan support and recruiting co-sponsors in the Senate to increase pressure on Senate leadership to advance this package. However, the prospects for the bill's passage remain uncertain in the Republican-controlled Senate, where leadership largely adheres to President Donald Trump's position on sanctions against Russia, Radio Svoboda notes.
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