On Thursday night, the United States House of Representatives voted 311-117 in favor of approving an additional $300 million aid for Ukraine. The decision was part of a larger Pentagon funding bill for fiscal year 2024.
House GOP leaders, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), initially intended to hold a separate vote on the Ukraine aid. This was due to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and a group of conservative Republicans sinking a procedural vote to advance the Pentagon funding bill, according to The Hill.
However, Speaker McCarthy later reversed this decision citing complications from the need to remove assistance for Ukraine from the State Department appropriations measure.
He concluded that it would be too complex and decided to retain both measures in their existing form.
On Wednesday, an amendment sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) to strip $300 million from the legislation was voted down in a 104-330 vote.
All support for this amendment came solely from Republicans. Furthermore, an amendment proposed by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) which sought to prohibit security assistance for Ukraine was also firmly rejected in a 93-339 vote.
Ultimately, the bill providing FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for assistance to Ukraine and establishing the Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance passed Thursday night with overwhelming approval.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DOD for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The funding is provided for purposes such as
- providing assistance and equipment to the military and national security forces of Ukraine and other forces or groups engaged in resisting Russian aggression against Ukraine,
- replacing weapons or defense articles provided to Ukraine from the U.S. inventory, and
- recovering or disposing of equipment procured using funds provided by this bill or prior acts.
The bill also establishes and provides funding for the Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance. The duties of the office include
- conducting and supervising audits and investigations related to the programs and operations funded with appropriations provided to support Ukraine;
- coordinating and making recommendations regarding policies designed to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse; and
- keeping the Department of State, DOD, and Congress informed about problems, deficiencies, and the need for corrective actions.
“Last night’s vote marks a major moment in changing perceptions on how House Republicans view Ukraine. 101 Republicans voted to send more money. 117 Republicans voted against,” Matt Gaetz wrote.
“Ukraine Funding has now lost “the majority of the majority” and cannot be brought up again on the floor per conference rule,” he continued.
Last night’s vote marks a major moment in changing perceptions on how House Republicans view Ukraine.
101 Republicans voted to send more money.
117 Republicans voted against.
Ukraine Funding has now lost “the majority of the majority” and cannot be brought up again on the… https://t.co/DulCo6tksf
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) September 29, 2023
Below is the list of Republicans who voted to send more taxpayers’ money to Ukraine.
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