HR 2913: Ukraine Support Act

HR 2913 in plain English: The Ukraine Support Act provides assistance to Ukraine and certain European countries while imposing penalties on Russia in connection with the ongoing war. It establishes a reconstruction trust fund for Ukraine, revives and extends U.S. defense lending and security assistance authorities, and requires the President to impose sanctions and tariffs of at least 500% on Russian imports if Russia is found to be waging aggression, refusing peace negotiations, or violating a peace agreement.

Stated purpose

The bill aims to support Ukraine in its war with Russia by providing military, financial, and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine and certain European allies, while imposing economic penalties and sanctions on Russia if the President determines Russia is waging unjustified aggression or refusing to negotiate peace in good faith.

Key points

• Revives U.S. authority to lend or lease defense articles to Ukraine or Eastern European countries through FY2028, with loan principal limits up to $8 billion
• Extends Department of Defense security assistance and intelligence support to Ukrainian forces through 2027, with $300 million authorized for FY2026 and $300 million for FY2027
• Authorizes $250 million for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for FY2026
• Provides $30 million per year from 2025 through 2029 for critically needed assistance, plus $30 million in Foreign Military Financing grants and $4 million for nonproliferation programs for Baltic countries
• Requires tariffs of at least 500% on all goods imported from Russia if the President determines Russia is committing aggression or violating a peace agreement

Arguments supporters make

• Continuing to support Ukraine deters further Russian aggression and protects the international rule against taking land by force, which benefits global stability and U.S. security interests.
• The conditional sanctions trigger gives Russia a clear incentive to negotiate a genuine peace, because the harshest economic penalties only kick in if the President finds Russia is still attacking or refusing talks.
• Helping rebuild Ukraine and strengthening Baltic defenses prevents a wider conflict in Europe that could eventually require far more costly U.S. involvement.

Arguments opponents make

• Providing more military aid and imposing severe economic penalties risks escalating the conflict rather than encouraging a negotiated end, potentially drawing the U.S. deeper into a war with a nuclear-armed country.
• Tariffs of at least 500% on Russian goods and broad financial sanctions could raise costs for American businesses and consumers and invite retaliatory measures that harm the U.S. economy.
• Critics argue the bill commits substantial U.S. resources and authority over an open-ended period without a clear strategy for what success looks like or when American involvement would end.

Tradeoffs

Providing robust assistance and threatening severe sanctions may strengthen Ukraine's position and deter Russia, but it also risks prolonging the conflict, escalating tensions, and imposing economic costs on American businesses and consumers; the bill trades the possibility of a faster, negotiated settlement for a stronger pressure campaign against Russia.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

NewsClear — neutral news & congressional tracking · Bill of the Week