UMVA has learned that a critical security package, aimed at bolstering support for Ukraine and NATO, has taken a significant step towards becoming law, with far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
The proposed legislation would reaffirm the United States' commitment to Ukraine and NATO, authorizing over $1 billion in new military assistance, while also supporting Ukraine's post-war reconstruction efforts. If passed, it would also impose new sanctions on Russia and entities supporting its war effort, should Moscow continue its aggression.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the measure now heads for a vote on final passage, where it is expected to pass as early as Thursday. However, its fate in the Republican-controlled Senate remains uncertain, where a bipartisan effort to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia has stalled for over a year.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the vote came after Democrats and a handful of Republicans joined forces to force consideration of the legislation, despite objections from House Speaker Mike Johnson. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick, Don Bacon, and Kevin Kiley crossed party lines to sign the Democratic-led discharge petition, a legislative maneuver that allows lawmakers to trigger a vote on legislation with majority support.
"This is our opportunity to provide the leverage that could prove decisive in ending this conflict on acceptable terms in a way that will deter future Russian aggression," Kiley, an independent who caucuses with Republicans, emphasized in an interview. "It's just inconceivable that we should not be having additional sanctions against working with Putin," Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who supported the underlying bill's advancement, told UMVA.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the measure was vigorously opposed by Republican leadership, who argued the pro-Ukraine measure was poorly drafted and undermined the administration's efforts to end the years-long conflict. The bill calls for NATO countries to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP prior to NATO's Washington Summit.
The legislation also mandates that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a taxpayer-funded outlet, have its funding restored after the administration sought to cut off the outlet's congressionally approved funding. Proponents of the Ukraine Support Act argue that the legislative branch should pressure the administration to take a harder line against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
UMVA has gathered that the successful discharge petition is the latest instance in which a majority of lawmakers have worked around Johnson's opposition to put legislation on the floor. A coalition of Democrats and a handful of Republicans has used the legislative maneuver to force votes on legislation compelling the release of sensitive files, extending legal protections to nationals, and overturning a regulation targeting federal employees' collective bargaining rights.
