Eighteen House Republicans broke ranks on Thursday and joined nearly every single Democrat in voting to send an additional $1.3 billion in aid to Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia.In a 226-195 vote, the House approved the legislation defying both House GOP leadership and President Donald Trump’s preferred approach to ending the war in Ukraine. Overall, 18 House Republicans voted with 207 Democrats to approve the measure.Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA), an independent who caucuses with the House GOP, also voted in favor. One Democrat and 194 House Republicans opposed the measure.
Kiley and Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) joined with Democrats to force the aid package to the floor using a discharge petition. The parliamentary procedure bypasses the committee process and forces legislation directly to the floor for a vote if 218 lawmakers sign on in support.
Kiley, who is facing an uphill reelection battle after mid-decade redistricting, said last month he was convinced to support the maneuver because “the collapse of the recent ceasefire shows that leverage is needed for diplomacy to succeed.
Democrats have long sought to bring a Ukraine aid bill to the House floor. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has also faced skepticism from lawmakers of both parties during multiple Capitol Hill budget-related hearings regarding Ukraine aid. Last month, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) accused the Pentagon of failing to disburse $400 million in aid to Ukraine.
