US Lower House approves $40 billion bill to aid Ukraine

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that will allocate more than $40 billion to help Ukraine cope with the Russian invasion. US President Joe Biden has called on Congress to rush the bill through before military aid in Ukraine runs out, which is expected by the end of May.

The package includes $6 billion for security assistance, including recruitment, equipment, weapons and support; $8.7 billion to replenish stockpiles of US equipment sent to Ukraine; and $3.9 billion for European Command operations. Alongside this, the package also authorises $4 billion in Foreign Military Financing to support Ukraine and other countries affected by the crisis. Another $5 billion will go to humanitarian aid and another $9 billion to a fund for economic budget support to Ukraine.

Along with this spending, the legislation authorises an additional $11 billion in Presidential Withdrawal Authority, in which the president can authorise the transfer of items and services from US stocks without congressional approval in response to an emergency.

This spending bill passed the Lower House by a vote of 368-57, with the negative votes coming from Republicans. "This bill will protect democracy, limit Russian aggression and strengthen our own national security, while, most importantly, supporting Ukraine," said a Democratic House representative, Rosa DeLauro, chairwoman of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, urging members to support the bill.

However, there have also been dissenting voices in Congress. Some Republicans opposed the bill and criticised Democrats for "moving too fast in sending too many US taxpayer dollars overseas".

This opposition, however, will have to be overcome by Democratic and Republican votes in the Senate in the coming days if it is to be endorsed. "I think they will authorise it. There will be significant Republican support," said Republican Senator Rob Portman, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and leader of the Ukrainian caucus in the Senate.

Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, called on Democratic and Republican senators to help get aid to Kiev approved. "It was a very sincere and easy to understand message: their people are dying, they are running out of supplies and ammunition. They need our help quickly. Thank you for all our help. Please pick up the pace," Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said of Markarova's speech.

This aid to Ukraine was already pushed by US President Joe Biden a fortnight ago, when he asked Congress to approve an additional $33 billion in aid, but lawmakers decided to increase military and humanitarian funding. 

In any case, both Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have called for more speed. "Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to wait," Pelosi said in a letter to House members. "This package, which builds on the strong support already garnered by Congress, will be critical to helping Ukraine defend not only its nation, but also democracy for the world," she added.

The US intends to maintain the flow of military aid to Ukraine, which has not stopped since the Russian invasion began. Howitzers, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Javelin anti-tank missiles, ammunition and Ghost drones have been part of this US arms shipment to support Ukraine's defence.

Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra.