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In a bipartisan effort, House lawmakers are urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to schedule a vote on crucial legislation that intertwines foreign military assistance with domestic border security enhancements.
“We’re working directly with Johnson’s office to get the package to the House floor through regular channels,” stated Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), the legislation’s primary sponsor. Fitzpatrick also indicated readiness to initiate a discharge petition to compel a floor vote if necessary, stating, “If the House cannot come to a consensus on a bill to be put on the floor, the alternative can’t be that Ukraine fails and our border remains open. We can’t allow that to happen.”
This legislative push follows in the wake of resistance from various factions within Congress. Discharge petitions, while rare, represent a critical maneuver in bypassing standard procedural hurdles. Yet, they face significant opposition, with historical precedents suggesting a challenging path ahead.
Former President Trump’s opposition to new Ukraine aid or border security measures, coupled with the disapproval of some House Democratic leaders toward Fitzpatrick’s proposal, makes the possible move very difficult to carry out. Despite these challenges, Fitzpatrick said, “This is not a workaround of anyone or any post. This is a pressure point, to try to apply pressure to force something to the floor.”