Senate, House take another swing at Ukraine aid, Mayorkas impeachment
The theme at the Capitol this week: Congress tries again.
IN THE HOUSE, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is hoping for a different outcome on an impeachment vote against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The resolution narrowly failed last week, but with Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) returning from cancer treatment and supporting the resolution, it could pass the chamber if all else stays the same.
THE SENATE, meanwhile, is chipping away at procedural votes on a foreign aid bill with funding for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and more after Senate Republicans last week blocked a package that included border policy reforms, which had been in the works since before the holidays.
Another procedural vote on the $93 billion package may come Monday night, with passage in the chamber possible this week.
Biden, Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet for Gaza talk
President Biden met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Monday to discuss efforts to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas and to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
As The Associated Press noted, Jordan has called for a cease-fire before long-term planning begins, while the U.S. has opposed a general cease-fire.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to resume duties Tuesday after a procedure to address a bladder issue, according to the Pentagon.
Austin transferred his duties to his deputy and was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday. Austin had returned to the Pentagon on Jan. 29 after being hospitalized for an infection stemming from surgery for prostate cancer.
ON THIS DAY
🪵 In 1809 (215 years ago), President Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Kentucky.
The group Principles First plans to host a counterprogramming event to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) later this month, saying its rival summit will focus on “a more principled center-right politics.” Speakers include former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R).
SAT requirements may make a comeback
Dartmouth College will resume requiring SAT or ACT scores from applicants, something it and many other institutions stopped doing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill’s Lexi Lonas delves into the debate around bringing the requirement back.