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.
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 bypass GOP leadership.
In the 119th Congress alone, lawmakers have successfully gathered the required 218 signatures to force votes on six bills, including proxy voting rules, the release of the Epstein files, and extensions of Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Ukraine Aid Petition Reaches Critical Threshold
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 House Democrats 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."
— Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.)
Bill Details and Challenges Ahead
The bill would authorize $1.3 billion in military aid and other assistance to Ukraine, as well as up to $8 billion in loans, while imposing new sanctions on Russia.
However, the bill faces significant obstacles in the GOP-controlled Senate and from the White House, making its passage into law unlikely.
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