Congress Gives Ukraine a Fighting Chance against Russian Invaders
American lawmakers have extended Ukraine’s lifeline so its armed forces can continue to defend its country against Russian cutthroats that invaded Ukraine the last time in February 2022.
The US House of Representatives on December 10 approved a new $900 billion defense spending bill that includes military aid to Ukraine.
The bill upholds many of President Donald Trump's national security policies but places limits on his ability to reduce American troops in Europe and withhold support to Ukraine.
The bill reauthorizes the use of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a Pentagon-led program that supplies arms to Ukraine through contracts with US defense companies. It states that Ukraine will receive $400 million per year via the USAI for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
The authorization that will help Ukraine stand up to Russian aggression will also help American businesses and economy.
The legislation bars the Pentagon from reducing the number of troops "permanently stationed in or deployed" to Europe below 76,000 for longer than 45 days.
It also requires the Defense Department to notify Congress within 48 hours of any decision to restrict intelligence sharing with Ukraine, according to Ukraine's ambassador to the US Olha Stefanishyna. Intelligence sharing is important for Ukraine because of US technological superiority in monitoring Russian activities that threaten soldiers and civilians.
The bill received bipartisan support, passing in a 312-112 vote. It will next advance to the Senate, where it is also expected to win bipartisan approval.
According to the White House, Trump has not allocated any new defense aid packages under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) — a tool frequently used by President Joe Biden. Instead, the administration is selling arms to Ukraine via NATO partners, using the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL).
Trump has repeatedly stressed that the US is not paying for the war to continue, but rather profiting off weapons sales to NATO.
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