Reporter's Notebook: Russia’s Ukraine war and Congress’ long push for aid

It was late January. Russian leader Vladimir Putin was rattling sabers about invading Ukraine. The Senate called in top Biden Administration officials to brief them on what to expect from the Kremlin.

Unlike American football, the U.S. Senate operates on more than four downs – considering that the legislation was purportedly so close to the goal line. Top senators kept saying the bill was inching closer. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., even indicated that the tough sanctions bill was a way to deter Putin from invading Ukraine. Thus, it was important to pass the bill before an invasion.

It never happened.