US House approves $61bn in military aid for Ukraine after months of stalling

Mike Johnson effectively de-coupled vote on Ukraine from funding for Israel, amid fierce resistance within his own Republican party

After months of stalling, the US House of Representatives finally approved more than $61bn worth of military assistance to help Ukraine in its desperate defense against Russia.

The bipartisan vote saw 210 Democrats and 101 Republicans join to support Ukraine, with 112 Republicans – a majority of the GOP members – voting against. It came after the Republican speaker, Mike Johnson, forced a series of bills onto the floor in the face of fierce resistance within his own Republican party, many of whom oppose spending more on Ukraine’s defense.