Eighteen House Republicans broke with both the White House and party leadership on June 4 to join almost all Democrats in supporting the first major Ukraine aid package of President Donald Trump’s second term.
The Ukraine Support Act passed 226 to 195, authorizing more than $1 billion in new military and security assistance for Ukraine, up to $8 billion in loans, and a new round of sanctions targeting Russia’s financial, energy, mining, and government sectors.
The bill reached the floor only after supporters used a discharge petition — a procedural maneuver that requires 218 signatures to force a vote on legislation that leadership has refused to schedule — to get around Republican leaders who had been blocking a vote for months.
Those favoring the bill argue that with negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow stalled — and with Russia not making progress on the battlefield — Washington should be applying pressure to Russian President Vladimir Putin to force him to make real compromises. Those opposed say the legislation ties Trump’s hands in his outreach to the Kremlin.
Independence Avenue Media correspondent Mariia Ulianovska spoke to members of Congress from both parties to find out why they voted the way they did.
Here’s what they told us:
Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-NY, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who first sponsored the bill in April 2025:
I am relieved that we finally have a vote on the floor to make sure that we’re helping our good friends, our allies in Ukraine against [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s chosen and vicious war. I wish it had happened earlier.
The process should have been quicker. And we had to go the long way as opposed to doing things in a regular way to show the Ukrainian people that we’re standing beside them and we’re going to give them what they need. I say thank you to the Ukrainian people.
You know, I led the last congressional delegation to Ukraine before the invasion. And as I talked to people, not just the elected officials, but I went to the taxi drivers, the people in the restaurants, people that were walking out of hospitals, and I asked them about what was going on and what they would do if Vladimir Putin was to attack. And they said, “If you just give us what we need, we will fight to keep our freedom and our democracy.” And for almost five years now, that’s exactly what they’ve done.
Brave, standing up, and I take my hat off to them. And this is just to say and we’re going to continue until we get it done in the Senate and make sure that you’re able to purchase and get what you need. I thank the allies that have stepped up to give you what you need so you could continue this battle. We’re not going to quit. We’re not going to end until Vladimir Putin is defeated.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-FL, who has opposed further aid to Ukraine and has argued the best path to a peace agreement is closer engagement with Moscow.
There are currently peace talks happening, and it’s undermining the president’s position on this. And also, too, my question is, why is it that [Ukrainian President Voldymyr] Zelenskyy is not wanting to engage in peace, but is asking for more aid? Do you think that it’s the responsibility of American citizens to be supporting that? In my opinion, we’ve given way, way more than we should have ever given to Ukraine for aid, but also too now, why is it that Zelenskyy doesn’t want to entertain the idea? If there are security guarantees, if there’s a potential for a multi-trillion dollar trade deal, etc. but you guys could see every voting record. I’m not the only one who voted against it.
I think [Zelenskyy and Putin] need to sit down. I think that especially in regards to mediating the meeting, I think that there’s a great diplomatic team in [special envoys Steve] Witkoff and [Jared] Kushner, and I think that the president may even be there, but I think that that’s something that should happen.
I want to be really clear about something, OK? I am not pro-Russia, I’m not pro-Ukraine, I’m simply working on behalf of the interest of the American people, and right now in this war, there’s a lot of people dying. You always want to be on the side of negotiating peace, but also, too, why is it that the last administration, instead of trying to lead with peace first and trying to actually put an end to it back then, they encouraged it?
I think right now the number one thing that I will be supporting is what President Trump is doing in regards to these peace talks. I think if you can get the peace deal across the board, then there’s no reason to send more Patriot missiles, because you won’t be getting actually attacked.
Rep. Kevin Kiley, an independent from California, who caucuses with Republicans. He told Independence Avenue Media that he was the deciding vote in the discharge petition that brought the vote to the House floor.
We’ve been horrified by the most recent brutality of the Russians. We’ve been encouraged by some of the recent gains that Ukrainians have made on the battlefield. But it’s clear that we need to change the dynamic.
That this conflict will not end if we don’t change the dynamic. And I think this vote today changes the dynamic.
It provides leverage, with Congress speaking in a bipartisan way by making it clear that we will stand with Ukraine. We provide them material support that’s needed for their self-defense and we will continue to make Russia pay a severe price for its aggression and its brutality.
I felt that this was the time, where if Congress steps up and acts, it will really make a difference. And I want to say I have a tremendous Ukrainian American community that I’ve gotten to know very well over the years in the Sacramento area.
It’s been a privilege to attend their gatherings and festivals and celebrations during the decade or so I’ve been in public office and, you know, I’ve been there with them for the vigils and all of the acts of community support over these more difficult recent years.
And so I’m hopeful that this will make a difference and that we can get this conflict to an end in a way that will deter Russian aggression in the future and protect the values that the United States and our allies stand for.
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