Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
December 13, 2023

As the impasse continues on additional funding for Ukraine, Senate Republicans are warning the only way President Joe Biden will get another $61 billion for Ukraine is if he overrides Senate Democrats and agrees to border security reforms that substantially reduce the influx of migrants into the country.  Senate Republicans now say it’s highly unlikely… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
December 12, 2023

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) reiterated after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this morning that any aid for Ukraine must be coupled with border security.  The statement comes even as a bipartisan group in the Senate has struggled to come to a consensus on border security, a reality that is preventing the United States… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
December 11, 2023

As the House and Senate work to complete various year end items, funding for Israel and Ukraine remains elusive.  President Joe Biden will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Tuesday, the administration announced Sunday, as Congress looks increasingly unlikely to pass additional funding for Ukraine and as U.S. officials warn that… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
December 7, 2023

The Senate failed Wednesday to begin debate on President Joe Biden’s national security package, with Republicans unifying to filibuster it due to a lack of immigration limits that they have demanded be a condition for winning their support.  The vote was 49-51, with Republicans voting against moving forward with the bill, along with Senator Bernie… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
December 6, 2023

Ahead of a key procedural vote this afternoon, Senate Republican leaders are urging their GOP colleagues to block legislation to provide more than $61 billion in military and foreign aid for Ukraine because the package does not include immigration and asylum reforms.  Any hopes of getting a bill passed this week were dashed when tempers… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
December 5, 2023

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) on Monday teed up the first procedural vote on President Biden’s $106 billion supplemental package to send aid to Ukraine, Israel, Indo-Pacific countries and for humanitarian purposes in Gaza.  Leader Schumer set up the planned cloture vote on a shell bill, which is slated to take place Wednesday… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
December 4, 2023

As Congress reconvenes this week, the White House delivered a dire warning to congressional leaders Monday morning that time is running out for lawmakers to approve more assistance to Ukraine.  In letters Monday to party leaders in the House and Senate, White House budget chief Shalanda Young warned that inaction before the end of the… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
November 30, 2023

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) told Senate Republicans on Wednesday he won’t be able to get a national security package with aid for Ukraine, Israel and border security through the House.  Johnson said it would be nearly impossible to pass the entire package in the House, where Republicans hold an extremely narrow majority with too many… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
November 28, 2023

Both the House and Senate are back in session today after the Thanksgiving break.  The House will be in session for just 16 legislative days before the January 19th first government funding deadline and lawmakers return this week to a long to-do list.  In a Dear Colleague letter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York)… Read More

Adam S. Olsen- Washington, D.C.
November 16, 2023

The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night for legislation spearheaded by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to fund the government until early next year, wiping out the possibility that Congress will vote on another massive omnibus funding package before Christmas.  The bipartisan vote was 87-11, with 10 Republicans and one Democrat — Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) —… Read More