On Politics

Tue Dec 12 2023

Marina Pitofsky | Associate Editor/Politics

Hello OnPolitics readers! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is making his third trip to Washington , meeting with lawmakers in a last-ditch plea for Congress to pass an aid package for the war-ravaged country.

The Ukrainian leader started the day meeting with Democratic and Republican senators, entering the room to a round of applause, USA TODAY's Rachel Looker reports. He also met with newly elected speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who told reporters "we stand with him and against Putin's brutal invasion."

⏳ Running out of time: The time crunch is on for lawmakers to pass an aid package as Russia's invasion continues. Both chambers of Congress are scheduled to leave town for the holidays at the end of the week.

The Biden administration warned Congress last week that the U.S. will run out of funding to continue to provide assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year.

⛔ Can Congress clear roadblocks? Funding negotiations have reached a snag as Republicans push for more stringent border security measures in exchange for their support on the aid package.

House Republicans passed their own border security proposal earlier this year that would restore construction on a southwest border wall and slow asylum access.