Johnson may face discharge petition on Senate supplemental after approval
Senators Explore Creative Tactics to Push for Defense Supplemental Spending Bill
Senators who are advocating for the defense supplemental spending bill are considering using a discharge petition to bypass leadership and force a floor vote in the House. This move comes after months of negotiations and procedural obstacles faced by Senate negotiators.
The bill, which provides $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, has faced opposition from Republicans who have used various tactics to delay its passage. However, the bill was eventually approved by the Senate early Tuesday morning.
Despite the Senate’s approval, House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have not committed to bringing the legislation up for consideration. They would face backlash from their right flank if they were to do so.
Johnson Criticizes Senate’s Foreign Aid Bill
“The Senate did the right thing last week by rejecting the Ukraine-Taiwan-Gaza-Israel-Immigration legislation due to its insufficient border provisions,” Johnson stated. He expressed disappointment that the bill did not address the pressing issue of border security.
In response to the opposition, senators supporting Ukraine aid have been discussing ways to push for consideration of the bill in the House. One option being considered is a discharge petition, which would initiate a floor vote without leadership’s permission if 218 signatures are collected.
With more than half of the House and a supermajority of the Senate supporting continued Ukraine aid, there are enough signatures in the lower chamber for a discharge petition. If House Democrats and House Republicans deliver half of their respective conference members’ signatures, they would have enough support to bypass Johnson.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has not commented on these discussions.
Democrats are likely to deliver more than half of their House conference, while Republicans face challenges due to pressure from the right flank and former President Donald Trump’s influence.
Trump has specifically called for an end to foreign aid giveaways unless they are repaid as loans.
Johnson risks losing his speakership if he supports legislation that upsets Trump and the Republican base.
A discharge petition is a rarely used tool in the House, but senators believe it is gaining momentum as it would distance Johnson from the legislation and make it harder for detractors to blame him for its passage.
Senator Thom Tillis, who is not directly involved in the talks, mentioned that the discharge petition and other options are being considered to get the bill to President Joe Biden’s desk.
Republicans in both chambers have expressed skepticism about the bill’s chances of passing in the House, which they control by a slim margin.
Senator Ron Johnson dismissed the idea of a discharge petition, stating that colleagues in the House believe it is a fantasy.
Why does Schumer stress the importance of passing the defense supplemental bill and providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in the face of growing threats from their adversaries?
Ointment with the inclusion of funding for immigration in a defense spending bill. Johnson emphasized the need for border security and criticized the Senate for not prioritizing this issue.
Schumer Urges Timely Passage of Defense Supplemental Bill
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, on the other hand, has been vocal about the urgency of passing the defense supplemental bill. He highlighted the significance of providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, considering the growing threats they face from their adversaries.
Schumer stressed the importance of their partnerships with these countries and stated that the defense funding would further strengthen these alliances. He emphasized the role of the United States in maintaining global stability and promoting democracy.
With the House leadership hesitant to bring the legislation up for consideration, senators supporting the bill have been exploring creative tactics to ensure its passage.
A discharge petition, if implemented, would allow the bill to bypass House leadership and force a floor vote. This would overcome the delay tactics employed by opponents of the bill and expedite its path to becoming law.
While discharge petitions are rarely successful, senators supporting the defense supplemental bill believe it may be their best option to overcome the procedural roadblocks they have faced thus far.
The defense supplemental bill aims to allocate $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Supporters of the bill argue that this funding is crucial in strengthening the security and defense capabilities of these nations, enabling them to better protect their interests and maintain stability in their respective regions.
Opponents of the bill, mainly Republicans, have raised concerns regarding specific provisions within the legislation. Disagreements over immigration funding and border security have been key points of contention.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have been cautious in committing to bringing the bill up for consideration. They face pressure from their right flank, which opposes the inclusion of certain provisions and believes that border security should be prioritized over foreign aid.
The use of a discharge petition would create a unique dynamic and potentially force a vote on the defense supplemental bill. This strategy, however, poses its own challenges as garnering the necessary number of signatures can be difficult, and success is not guaranteed.
As senators continue to explore their options and advocates on both sides of the debate build their case, the future of the defense supplemental spending bill remains uncertain.
In the coming weeks, the decision by House leadership on whether to move forward with the bill will significantly impact its chances of becoming law. Until then, senators supporting the bill will continue to strategize and push for its consideration, while opponents will seek to maintain their opposition in hopes of derailing the legislation.
The defense supplemental spending bill serves as a critical piece of legislation aimed at strengthening alliances, bolstering national security, and promoting stability in key regions. How the bill progresses through the political landscape will not only have implications for the United States but also for its international partners.
Negotiations, parliamentary maneuverings, and political pressures will continue to shape the fate of the defense supplemental bill in the days and weeks to come.
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