Politics

Several senators departed Capitol Hill on Thursday bound for Germany

Senator Lindsey Graham is leading a bipartisan convoy of 11 senators along with Sheldon Whitehouse

Some Democrats suggested Mr Johnson's decision was motivated by a desire to punish them for holding up homeland security funding

Mr Schmitt said they are going to shut that down and then fly to Munich on the taxpayer dime and trash President Trump’s foreign policy to Europeans

Representative Adam Smith said it is important to engage with partners and allies on national security issues and send a message of strength through unity

Lawmakers could have returned to Washington within two days to vote if Republicans and Democrats reached a homeland security funding deal according to Mr Smith

Another bipartisan delegation led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen flew out on Thursday

Jeanne Shaheen plans to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky Mark Rutte and the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland

Senator Thom Tillis is set to meet with European leaders in Munich alongside Senators Mark Kelly and Chris Murphy

The Defense and State Departments are fully funded and at no risk of shutting down and the Department of Homeland Security plays no role in congressional delegations

Some Republicans argued Democrats should not be allowed to make the trip given the spending impasse

Calling off congressional travel is standard procedure during a government shutdown

Rubio represents Trump who has humiliated European politicians

European nations are moving to limit migration

Rubio and Wang were expected to talk about plans

White House insistence to take over Greenland led to negotiations

Rubio said his speech would be well-received by European officials

Congressional delegation to Europe's security summit was expected to be largest ever this year

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew most buzz

Ursula von der Leyen said alliance is very important