In the beginning, the White House refused to answer Congress' calls to ban Russian oil imports to the US. However, this is exactly what happened next.

The administration paused legislation, which could have revoked Russia's normal trade status until President Biden announced the move on Friday.

Senators were convinced by the administration to postpone imposing Russian penalties, but the administration eventually imposed harsh restrictions on its own. It initially rebuffed congressional efforts to prohibit the Nord Stream 2 energy pipeline, but subsequently led allies in blocking it.

“What do all those things have in common?” Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, asked after reciting a similar list.

“In each of those cases, the administration said no,” until lawmakers from both political parties put pressure on the White House to change course. “And in each case, the administration did a 180.”

It's a trend that hasn't gone ignored amid the crisis in Ukraine: a surprisingly united Congress is pushing Biden to go further and quicker with a US response to the Russian advancement. 

What move did the legislative branch take? 

The legislative branch has shown a rare, all-encompassing resolution, which is influencing executive branch decision-making.

“We’ve seen that with this president time and time and time again, where he says, ‘We can’t do this,’” said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a combat veteran. “Then he reverses course.”

Furthermore, Ernst and other members of Congress are urging the Biden administration to reconsider sending Polish warplanes to Ukraine for use against Russia.

After the Pentagon rejected Poland's offer to deliver the Soviet-era MiGs to Ukraine, more than 40 Republican senators signed a letter urging Biden to reverse direction.

No-fly zone

Last weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy appealed with Congress to deploy planes and other air support if the US refused to impose a no-fly zone.

“Send these MiGs,” said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.

The administration initially had supported NATO ally Poland sending its planes to Ukraine, but then slammed the door on Poland’s offer to instead send the planes to a US base in Germany for transfer to Ukraine. Military leaders believed it is too risky.

“There is bipartisan support to provide these planes,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H, during a Foreign Relations Committee hearing Thursday with administration officials. “It is disappointing to see the reluctance on the part of the administration, and it’s coming across as indecision and bickering.”

The persistent drumbeat from Congress in recent weeks can be interpreted as a critique of the White House approach as much as an affirmative nod to the Biden administration, demonstrating how far lawmakers are ready to go to help Ukraine.