The House overwhelmingly passed a nonbinding resolution in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty on Wednesday as the country faces an invasion from Russian forces.
The measure, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks, demanded “an immediate cease-fire and the full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.” It also voiced support for the United States and its allies to provide “immediate defensive security assistance to help Ukraine address the armored, airborne, and other threats Ukraine is currently facing.”
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The resolution included language vowing that the U.S. would not recognize an “illegitimate Russian-controlled leader” or government installed as a result of the unprovoked attack.
While the measure received broad bipartisan support, GOP Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Matt Rosendale of Montana, and Paul Gosar of Arizona voted against the resolution.
Ahead of the invasion, the Senate passed a similar measure in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty in February.
Its passage came shortly after 141 nations of the U.N. General Assembly’s 193-member body voted to condemn the Russian invasion.
The resolution comes as the U.S. and its allies have implemented a series of sanctions on Russia for its actions in recent days. Some lawmakers are calling on the Biden administration to ramp up its sanctions to further impact Russia’s energy sector.
“Vladimir Putin has invaded a sovereign nation and terrorized its civilians. His aggression will not stop with Ukraine. The gravity of this moment calls for Congress to speak with one voice,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, said in a statement.
“Today, the House voted overwhelmingly to support stronger sanctions against Russia, immediate and more military aid to Ukraine, and energy independence for America,” McCarthy said. “Now, the Biden administration must take immediate action to keep military aid flowing to Ukraine, displace Russian oil and gas, and regain global energy leadership.”
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Members of Congress in both chambers are also discussing including additional funding in an upcoming spending bill to ramp up response efforts in Ukraine.
