NEWS WEEK
Senior Democrats are suggesting that a discharge petition could be introduced to bring a $95-billion overseas aid bill to a vote in the House of Representatives if Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to introduce it.
On Tuesday the bill passed the Senate in a 70-29 vote, but it must also be approved by the House before President Joe Biden can sign it into law.
Johnson has refused to say he would bring the bill to the floor of the House, potentially halting its passage. On Monday he criticized the legislation, which would provide an additional $60 billion of military aid for Ukraine, claiming it is “silent on the most pressing issue facing our country” in reference to illegal immigration.
However, the legislation could also be brought to the floor via a discharge petition, which would require the support of 218 members, including at least four Republicans. It would then be voted on like any other piece of legislation, though this is unlikely to take place until the end of the month because of the packed congressional schedule.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Democratic Rep. Ami Bera wrote: “If Speaker Johnson won’t bring this critical aid package to the floor, I stand ready to sign a discharge petition to get the job done. The world is watching…
