Republican expresses optimism about House vote on Ukraine aid post-Easter break

A Republican lawmaker said in an interview that aired on Sunday that he expects the House to vote on aid for Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) told CNN that he spoke to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) “directly” when asked if they had discussed a vote on Ukraine aid.

“I’m not going to delve into the details of that conversation. But I am confident that he is going to bring a bill to the floor and that we will have a vote,” Lawler said.

Lawler said he believes there would be a vote when lawmakers return from the Easter recess.

“Certainly, this is critically important for our allies. We are the leader of the free world, and we cannot shirk on our responsibility to uphold and defend democracies across the globe,” he said.

In mid-February, the Democrat-led Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill that would allocate money for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Johnson has refused to have the House consider the legislation, suggesting that U.S. border security policy changes must be part of the equation.

Some House Republicans are pushing for a different bill that includes “defense-only” funds to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan while also providing authorities meant to secure the southern border.

Lawler noted that he signed a discharge petition meant to force a vote on that legislation, which is estimated to cost roughly $66 billion.

“But I am hopeful that the speaker will put the bill on the floor or an amended version of the bill on the floor, so that we can once and for all ensure that our allies have the aid and support that they need,” he said.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced last week that he briefed Johnson on Ukraine’s fight against Russia, which has lasted more than two years and to which the U.S. has already dedicated tens of billions of dollars.

“In this situation, quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital. We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor,” Zelensky said on X.

“We also discussed the importance of cutting off Russia’s sources of funding for its war as soon as possible and using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s benefit. We also rely on the leadership of Congress in this regard,” he added.

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