Ilhan Omar casts lone Democratic no vote on Ukraine aid, Russia sanctions package
Rep. Ilhan Omar (Minn.) was the only Democrat to vote against a bill from the House on Thursday that would provide new military aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia, breaking with her party in a bipartisan blow to President Trump’s foreign policy.
“I have always been and will continue to be on the side of the Ukrainian people and will openly condemn it.” [Russian President Vladimir] In her statement after the vote, Omar said, “Putin’s illegal and brutal occupation.”
The lawmaker opposed the law because it “contains broad economic sanctions”, arguing that such sanctions are inefficient and often fail to achieve their goals, while also causing civilian suffering.
“Opposing Russian aggression does not require us to support policies that punish ordinary civilians who do not want this war,” he said. “I remain committed to supporting diplomacy, peace and justice for the Ukrainian people affected by this terrible conflict. However, I could not in peace support legislation that would wage economic war on innocent civilians.”
The Ukraine Assistance Act, introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), authorizes $1.3 billion in funding for military assistance to Ukraine, including foreign military financing loans to purchase weapons, and imposes new sanctions on Russia amid a four-year war between the two countries.
It also offers US support for reconstruction efforts in Ukraine and adds additional security measures for the Baltic states.
Republicans had previously blocked the bill from reaching the parliament when it was first introduced in 2025, under Trump’s instructions. He argued that the United States was spending too much money on Ukraine and made a number of diplomatic attempts to persuade Putin to stop the war.
Despite objection from House GOP leadership, a bipartisan group of 218 lawmakers signed the discharge petition initiated by Meeks, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, forcing him to the floor.
Eighteen Republicans and Independent Representative Kevin Kiley (D-Calif.) joined Democrats to pass the bill by a vote of 226 to 195.
The bill now faces its next hurdle in the Republican-controlled Senate.
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