House Democrats on Wednesday secured the necessary signatures to bypass Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and force a vote on a package of Russia sanctions and billions of dollars in Ukraine aid.
Why it matters: This is the eighth time in the last three years that a discharge petition has been used by some combination of Democrats and Republicans to do an end-run around GOP leadership.
- Just in the 119th Congress, lawmakers have succeeded in garnering the necessary 218 signatures to force votes on a half dozen bills covering everything from proxy voting in the House to releasing the Epstein files to extending Affordable Care Act tax credits.
- Now they will get a vote on supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia — though likely not until after Memorial Day.
Driving the news: The Ukraine discharge petition, introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), reached 218 signatures on Wednesday after Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.) signed on.
- The petition was signed by all 215 Democrats in the House along with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), both staunch supporters of Ukraine.
- "Recent Ukrainian gains have created an opportunity for peace, but the collapse of the recent ceasefire shows that leverage is needed for diplomacy to succeed," Kiley said in a statement.
The details: The bill would authorize $1.3 billion in military aid and other assistance to Ukraine and as much as $8 billion in loans while imposing new sanctions on Russia.
- While it may pass the House, however, the bill faces significant headwinds from both the GOP-controlled Senate and the White House, making it unlikely to become law.
