Rep. Kiley sides with Democrats to force vote on additional U.S. aid to Ukraine
California Rep. Kevin Kiley issued a consequential signature Wednesday that will force a House vote on multi-billion dollar legislation to send new aid to Ukraine.
In signing onto the effort, Kiley sided with Democrats and went against the objections of Republican leaders who tried to avoid such a vote for almost a year. Kiley, who announced he would become an Independent earlier this year, was the final and 218th signature for the discharge petition — a procedural tool used to force legislation onto the House floor for a vote.
The legislation, known as the Ukraine Support Act, would authorize up to billions of dollars in support to Ukraine and strict sanctions on Russian institutions. New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the measure in April 2025, but it remained one signature short for months.
Kiley framed his decision Wednesday as necessary given what he said were recent “significant gains” achieved by Ukraine and the failure to reach a ceasefire. Russian forces suffered a net loss of 45 square miles last month, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a non-partisan Washington-based think tank.
“It’s clear we need additional leverage to make diplomacy your work and lead to a durable peace that advances the interests of the United States and our allies,” Kiley told The Sacramento Bee. “Congress has the capacity right now to provide that leverage.”
The legislation is unlikely to be enacted given the widespread opposition from Republicans and President Donald Trump. Kiley said he did not speak to Republican leadership before his decision. He continues to caucus with the GOP despite his change to an Independent.
Kiley, who expected the bill to pass the House, said he believed it would create momentum to “facilitate peace” and provide leverage by showing the U.S. is committed to providing support.
“Whether this exact bill is what ultimately emerges remains to be seen, but I think it’ll create momentum for action of some kind,” he said.
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Rep. Kiley sides with Democrats to force vote on additional U.S. aid to Ukraine."
