U.S. House approves Ukraine aid bill

WASHINGTON, March 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. House Thursday approved a measure providing $1 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine to shore up its economy.

The hastily drawn-up measure was approved 385-23. All of the "no" votes were Republican, the Hill reported.

Ukraine's economy was faltering even before Russia moved troops into Crimea during the weekend after Ukraine's ousted president fled to Russia, and came as the Crimea Parliament set a March 16 referendum to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

"This bill will provide some stability for the government and the people of Ukraine as they navigate through these troubled waters," House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky., said during a brief debate.