The US House of Representatives has approved the Ukraine Support Act, despite what Ukrainian journalist Ostap Yarysh described as a coordinated effort by the White House and Republican leadership to block the measure.
On Friday, Yarysh said the bill passed the House by a vote of 226-195 and called it the most significant Ukraine-related initiative approved by Congress since President Donald Trump returned to office.
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The legislation includes additional military assistance for Ukraine, the restoration of the lend-lease program, new sanctions on Russia, support for efforts to return Ukrainian children deported by Russia, and reconstruction assistance.
According to Yarysh, supporters were forced to use a discharge petition to bring the bill to the House floor, bypassing Speaker Mike Johnson after months of gathering signatures from lawmakers.
Although the measure secured enough support for consideration, Yarysh said several procedural votes threatened to derail it before the final vote.
White House reportedly urged Republicans to oppose measure
According to Yarysh, the White House sent a letter to Republican lawmakers before the vote urging them not to support the bill.
He said the administration argued that the legislation could interfere with its diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine and Russia and increase spending that did not align with White House priorities.
Yarysh also reported that Johnson encouraged fellow Republicans during a closed-door party meeting to vote against the measure, arguing that any additional actions toward Russia, including sanctions, should be coordinated with the administration and handled through separate Senate legislation.
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The conservative think tank, Heritage Foundation, also opposed the bill, describing it as “political theater” and criticizing lawmakers who supported it, Yarysh wrote.
He added that some Republicans who generally support Ukraine were reluctant to back the legislation because it bypassed the speaker and committee process, which they viewed as a violation of congressional norms.
According to Yarysh, there were also concerns that a small number of Democrats could oppose the bill over specific provisions, creating additional uncertainty in what was expected to be a close vote.
Senate battle still ahead
Yarysh credited Ukrainian-American organizations, diplomats, advocacy groups, and pro-Ukraine lawmakers with helping secure the bill’s passage through lobbying efforts, constituent outreach, meetings with congressional offices, media campaigns, and private discussions.
Ultimately, the measure passed with bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans.
Yarysh quoted Republican Congressman Joe Wilson as saying: “If I have to choose between Ukraine and Putin, I choose Ukraine.”
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it faces another difficult legislative process.
Even if the Senate approves the measure, Yarysh noted that Trump could still veto the bill.
“For today, we can take a breath,” he wrote, while cautioning that the most difficult stages of the process may still lie ahead.
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