As Zelensky Visits, Congress Could Decide ‘the Future of the World’ – By Yuval Rosenberg (The Fiscal Times) / Dec 12, 2023
Congressional lawmakers are scheduled to head home for the holidays at the end of the week, but those plans could maybe, possibly still change depending on whether either chamber sees progress or pressure on key unfinished business.
Right now, that seems unlikely — but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Washington this week to press the case for continued funding for his war against Russia even as Republican opposition grows. Zelensky is set to address senators and meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday.
Zelenky’s discussions with lawmakers come as congressional negotiators have struggled to make progress toward a deal to address security at the southern border and win backing for a $111 billion package including aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, the lead negotiator for Senate Republicans, said Monday that “there’s no time” to finish a deal and get it to President Joe Biden’s desk this month if the House heads home at the end of the week, according to Politico. Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas made the same point and sought to blame Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “I think Sen. Schumer got this started so late that we might just run out of time, so I think it’s going to be a January exercise,” he said.
CONTINUE > https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2023/12/12/Zelensky-Visits-Congress-Could-Decide-Future-World
