As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Long Island’s four representatives in Congress voted to approve legislation authorizing more than $9 billion in additional U.S. assistance and loans for the Eastern European nation, bringing total American aid committed since Russia’s 2022 invasion to roughly $186 billion.
The House approved the Ukraine Support Act by a 226-195 vote after supporters used a rarely successful discharge petition to bring the measure to the floor over the objections of House GOP leaders.
Long Island Republicans Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota joined Democrats Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi in voting for the bill. Nationwide, they were joined by just 16 other House Republicans, while 194 Republicans voted against the measure. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota was the only Democrat to oppose the legislation.
The package includes more than $1 billion in direct security and reconstruction assistance for Ukraine, authorizes up to $8 billion in defense loans, and imposes tougher sanctions on Russia’s energy, banking and mining sectors. It also strengthens restrictions on foreign companies and governments that help Moscow finance its war.
Supporters said the legislation demonstrates continued American support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression while increasing economic pressure on President Vladimir Putin. Opponents argued Congress should focus taxpayer dollars on domestic priorities and expressed concern over continued U.S. spending overseas as the national debt continues to climb.
The measure now moves to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. It will require at least 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, and Senate leaders had not scheduled a vote as of this week.
The war has become one of the deadliest conflicts of the 21st century. Independent analysts estimate the war has produced nearly 2 million combined military casualties since the invasion began.