An important and long-awaited political victory for Ukraine took place in the US Congress: a petition to force a vote on the “Ukraine Support Act” (H.R.2913) has gained the required 218 signatures. The decisive signature was that of Congressman Kevin Kaley from California, who had previously left the Republican Party and become an independent.
This was reported by the official website of Congressman Kevin Kaley and THE HILL.
Thanks to this, the House of Representatives will be forced to consider the bill even despite the opposition of the Republican Party leadership, which controls the agenda in Congress.
After signing the petition, Kevin Kaley stated that the current situation requires decisive action by Congress.
“Ukraine’s recent successes have created an opportunity for peace, but the failure of the last ceasefire has shown that leverage is needed for diplomacy to succeed,” the congressman stressed.
According to him, the United States must not only support Ukraine, but also demonstrate a tough stance on Russia and its cooperation with Iran.
“We must also send a clear message: Russian support for Iranian attacks on US military facilities will not be tolerated,” said Kylie.
“The process that had been blocked for many months has finally moved forward… For a very long time, the petition lacked only one signature – no congressman wanted to take responsibility. Pro-Ukrainian organizations in Washington have been working hard to change this,” said Ostap Yarysh, a former Voice of America Pentagon correspondent and Razom for Ukraine media advisor.
The bill was sponsored by Congressman Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The bill provides approximately $1.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine; additional military funding and weapons supplies; new credit mechanisms; financing for Ukraine’s future reconstruction; expanding sanctions against Russia’s financial, oil, mining, and related sectors; and reaffirming U.S. support for NATO.
“The bill, H.R. 2913, introduced by Democrat Gregory Meeks, among other things, would extend the Lend-Lease program through 2028 and provide up to $8 billion in military loans this year. It also provides for an additional $600 million for the USAI arms procurement program, the introduction of significant sanctions against Russia and diplomatic support for the return of abducted Ukrainian children,” added Ostap Yarysh.
Sanctions are also provided for against individual Russian officials, in particular, leader Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and others. Sanctions are also proposed to be imposed on Rosatom, the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, vessels of the Russian “shadow fleet” and people involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children.
The text of the bill also emphasizes that NATO remains critically important for the security of the United States.
Let us recall that the Petition for the forced passage of the bill was a response to the reluctance of the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives to consider new aid to Ukraine. Speaker Mike Johnson and part of the conservative wing of the Republican Party blocked the advancement document, fearing a conflict with Donald Trump, who is skeptical of additional support for Kyiv.
However, despite this, 218 signatures were collected thanks to the support of all Democrats and several Republicans, including Brian Fitzpatrick and Don Bacon.
Why is this important for Ukraine? American observers call Kylie's decision an important signal that bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress is maintained.
"This step demonstrates that pro-Ukrainian bipartisan sentiment in Congress has not disappeared and reflects the growing frustration of Congress with delays in aid to Ukraine and what many lawmakers consider insufficient pressure on Russia," emphasized Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS).
Analysts note that the discussion in Washington is gradually shifting from the question of "whether to support Ukraine" to the question of "how hard to put pressure on Russia."
The bill combines military aid to Ukraine with a significant increase in economic pressure on Moscow, which indicates a new stage in the approach of American lawmakers.
After reaching the 218-signature mark, the House of Representatives will have to bring the bill to the floor for consideration. This means that each member of Congress will be forced to publicly define his position on further support for Ukraine, the US role in NATO, and American foreign policy regarding the war.
Experts note that even the fact of the vote itself will have a significant political and international effect.
“In the coming weeks, the initiative should be put to a vote in the House of Representatives. There are enough votes there. But it is clear that this is only the beginning. After that, consideration in the Senate should take place. And, ultimately, the bill must be signed by the president. So, you understand, the path will not be easy,” added journalist Yarysh.
“Finally, today’s events keep Ukraine at the center of debates in Congress at a time when some feared that this issue would disappear from Washington’s agenda. By forcing a vote, supporters are forcing every member of the House of Representatives to publicly express their position on aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. This in itself has strategic and political consequences both domestically and internationally,” added UNIS.
The further fate of the bill will depend on the results of the vote in the House of Representatives, as well as on the position of the Senate and the US administration.
Photo: VM collage
Author: Inna Mikhno