The House passed a bill allowing the Biden administration to lend or rent weapons to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, by sending the invoice to the President’s office.

The House on Thursday approved the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 by 417-10, after the Senate passed it unanimously earlier this month. Lend-Lease bill allows president to lend or lease defense equipment to Ukraine for fiscal years 2022 and 2023, and also cut red tape to ensure equipment is delivered quickly. The legislation is named for the revival of a World War II-era program that helped provide allies in the fight against Nazi Germany.

“We clearly heard about Ukraine President Zelensky: Ukraine desperately needs more military aid to support its struggle for sovereignty and defend its civilian population,” said Rep. John Katko, one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “I co-sponsored this bill and was proud to support it in the House, as it will expand our country’s ability to quickly provide additional defense articles to the Ukrainian government as it responds to the barbarian invasion. and illegal of Vladimir Putin. This is a necessary step to protect the future of Ukraine and the security of its people.

The World War II Lend-Lease program was seen as a key tool that enabled the Allied victory against Nazi Germany. It allowed the US government to loan or lease war supplies, rather than sell them, to any country deemed vital to the defense of the United States. The aid particularly helped Britain in its battle against Nazi Germany.

The bill’s passage comes as President Biden has urged Congress to quickly adopt a 33 billion dollar aid plan for Ukraine as it continues to block Russian President Vladimir Putin’s onslaught. The White House says nearly all of the $3.5 billion in drawdown authority Congress provided last month for military assistance has run out.

“The cost of this fight is not cheap, but giving in to aggression will cost more if we allow it to happen,” the president said in a speech from the White House Thursday morning. “Either we support the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand idly by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggressions in Ukraine.”