If it's Thursday, breakthroughs, bombshells, and Biden, it's been a day of action in Washington

at the White House and in Congress as leaders in both parties navigate a series of storms,

literally and figuratively. Plus, Ukraine is alive and kicking, but it needs American help.

That was the message from President Zelensky in a historic speech to Congress as the U.S.

prepares to send more money and more weapons to the front lines.

And Americans across the country are battling a triple threat of illness from COVID, flu, and RSV.

How to face a season of sickness with one of the top medical experts

in the country.

Welcome to meet the press now. I'm Peter, in for Chuck Todd. And at this hour,

we are awaiting remarks from President Biden that the White House is billing as a, quote,

Christmas address focused on what unites us as Americans, his optimism for the year ahead. Of course,

one of the biggest questions in politics in the year that we've witnessed

centers around President Biden and whether he'll use the bully pulpit like he is today to

navigate a Republican House majority coming up for the first time in his presidency.

Speaking of Congress, the Senate just this afternoon passed that $1.7 trillion government spending bill, a process that's highlighted

some of the deep divisions inside both parties as they brace for leadership shakeups in the new

Congress. It's now going through some administrative hoops in the House where it is expected

to pass later this day. Here's Senator Chuck Schumer sending the bill to the House and sending

the Senate to the airport to make their holiday flights just before the vote.

This is one of the most significant appropriations packages we have done in a very long time.

The range of people it helps is large and deep. After a lot of hard work and compromise, the Senate is funding the government with an aggressive investment in American families, workers, and national defense.

This will be the last roll call vote.

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