US House of Representatives passes Ukraine aid bill in defiance of Trump

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to provide aid to Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia. The passage of the new bill is seen as a new sign that some Republican members are taking a stand against US President Donald Trump's policies.

The bill, called the 'Ukraine Support Act', was passed by a vote of 226-195 on Thursday (June 4) local time. Some Republican members joined Democrats in signing a special petition to bring the long-delayed bill to a vote.

In the vote, 18 Republicans and one independent member voted in favor of the bill, agreeing with Democrats. This is seen as a sign of a rift in Republicans' long-standing support for Trump's policies.

A day earlier, another resolution was passed in the House of Representatives, calling for the withdrawal of US troops involved in military operations against Iran unless Congress formally declares war or authorizes the use of military force.

Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishina, called the decision "an important step forward" in a post on social media, saying it reflected continued bipartisan support for Ukraine.

Uncertainty over becoming law

However, the bill's future remains uncertain. It must also pass the US Senate to become law. But the Senate's Republican leadership has so far not allowed a vote on sanctions against Russia. They have said they will wait for Trump's instructions on this matter. Even if it passes the Senate, Trump is expected to veto the bill.

Many members of Congress from both parties strongly supported Ukraine in the first few years after Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. However, since Trump returned to the White House in 2025, many of his close Republican allies have shown a relatively cool attitude towards Kiev.

Since Trump began his second term, he has left the decision to impose sanctions on Russia under the control of the White House, rather than Congress.

What's in the bill?

The bill provides for assistance to Ukraine for post-war reconstruction. It authorizes more than $1 billion in aid for Kiev and up to $8 billion in direct loans.

It also imposes tough sanctions and export controls on Russian financial institutions, the energy and mining sectors, and various officials.

Al Arabiya reported.