Updated March 27, 2014 3:48 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON—The House and Senate moved Thursday to bolster the U.S. response to the political crisis in Ukraine, voting on separate measures to expand sanctions against Russian officials and provide assistance to Kiev.
Both chambers of Congress approved legislation that would allow the White House to impose additional sanctions against those deemed to be threatening Ukraine's sovereignty, as well as provide security assistance and other funds to Ukraine's embattled government.
Aides said lawmakers could act as soon as Thursday afternoon to reconcile differences between the two packages, so a final version could be sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.
"Together we must be prepared to exact a significant cost for Russia's behavior, and to ensure that Mr. Putin's actions will be met with the firmest of resolves," House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.) said on the House floor Thursday, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.) said Thursday's votes would demonstrate to Mr. Putin there would be consequences for Russia's annexation of Crimea and escalation of the crisis in Ukraine.
"Russia invaded Ukraine because they don't believe consequences would be handed down from the rest of the world community. Today's vote proves Moscow wrong," Mr. Murphy said.
Also Thursday, the U.N. General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution calling the Crimean vote to rejoin Russia invalid and urged nations not to recognize it. The resolution passed with 100 votes in favor, 11 against, and 58 abstentions.
The U.S. legislation expected to be sent to the president fulfill an Obama administration promise to provide roughly $1 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine's government. Additionally, it would authorize additional sanctions—including asset freezes and visa bans—against those inside and outside of Russia deemed to have violated the sovereignty of Ukraine or contributed to the political crisis there.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the package would add to the U.S. pressure on top Russian officials.
U.S. lawmakers are also authorizing additional assistance to Kiev, including $50 million to help strengthen Ukraine's political and civil organizations ahead of elections later this spring, and $100 million for security assistance.
House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R, Calif.) said the legislation is just a first step if Russia continues to escalate the situation in Ukraine.
"The House will continue to pursue legislation that implements significant damage to the Russian economy and future attempts to occupy free and sovereign Eastern European nations," Mr. McCarthy said.
Under an agreement outlined by leadership aides, the House would quickly pass the Senate version of the legislation while the Senate passed a measure sought by House lawmakers.
Aides said the Senate would move to quickly pass language championed by Rep. Ed Royce (R., Calif.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to counter Russian propaganda in Ukraine. Legislation he wrote that overwhelmingly passed the House Thursday afternoon included provisions requiring Radio Free Europe and Voice of America to increase their broadcasts into eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
Absent from the legislation lawmakers considered were structural and financial changes for the International Monetary Fund requested by the White House. The IMF language became a point of tension between Democrats and Republicans that slowed lawmakers' efforts to respond to the crisis. Senate Democrats announced this week they would drop their insistence the IMF provisions be included in the Ukraine aid package, clearing the way for both chambers to act.
Write to Michael R. Crittenden at michael.crittenden@wsj.com
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