A much-delayed package of US security aid bills that included USD 60.8 billion (EUR 57 billion) to support Ukraine in its two-year-old battle to repel Russia’s invasion of the country has finally been voted through the US House of Representatives.
The bill was passed on 20 April 2024 after Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson defied the ‘America First’ cabal of Republican Representatives who support former president Donald Trump, who have continually opposed US military support for Ukraine.
The Ukraine aid bill includes USD 23.2 billion to replenish US weapons, stocks and facility funds diminished in supporting Ukraine, USD 11.3 billion for current US military operations in the region (training of Ukrainian troops and readiness presence across Europe), USD 13.8 billion for the purchase of advanced weapons systems for Ukraine and USD 26 million to “continue oversight and accountability” of aid provided to Ukraine.
It is the first new funding approved by the US Congress since Republicans took control of the House in January 2023.
The bill now proceeds to the Democratic-majority Senate, which passed a similar measure more than two months ago and is expected to vote on 23 April, before being signed off by US President Joe Biden.
Given the lengthy delays to US military support to Ukraine, the Biden administration is already finalising its next assistance package to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs.
The House vote on the Ukraine funding was passed by 311 votes to 112, with more Republican voting against it (112) than those who supported it (101) and all 210 Democrats voting in favour. Speaker Johnson brought the vote despite considerable political risk to his own position; he is at risk of being ousted from his position as House Speaker by the ‘America First’ Republicans, who have already ejected his predecessor.
Expressing his thanks for the military assistance as soon as it was passed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media channels, “I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track. Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it.
“The vital US aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger,” Zelenskyy added.
Given the situation on the ground in Ukraine, the US military aid is expected to be focused on frontline air defences, long-range fires and other artillery capabilities. The aid is likely to step any further Russian gains since US support dried up and most obviously prevent Russia from prevailing in Ukraine.
The package of bills that passed through the House on 20 April also included around USD 26 billion for supporting Israel and providing humanitarian relief in Gaza, as well as around USD 8 billion to help US allies in the Indo-Pacific region, most obviously Taiwan, in countering China.
