Staff Reports
House lawmakers are locked in a heated battle over the best way to provide aid to Ukraine, setting the stage for a political showdown. There are currently two separate discharge petitions circulating, each pushing for a different approach to deliver increased funding to the war-torn country.
Fight for Ukraine aid complicated by dueling petitions to force vote in House https://t.co/TLrZGTDN5L https://t.co/TLrZGTDN5L
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 12, 2024
The first discharge petition, initiated by House Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern (D-MA), aims to advance the Senate supplemental bill providing aid to Ukraine and Israel. This proposal includes stricter security measures at the southern border, a point that has ruffled some feathers among GOP leadership. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has firmly stated his reluctance to schedule a vote on this bill, leading to frustration among Democrats.
In response to McGovern’s move, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jared Golden (D-ME) have initiated another discharge petition. This second proposal includes much of the Senate’s language but also incorporates border security provisions. While this approach may have potential support from both sides of the aisle, it faces resistance from Democratic leadership in favor of the Senate foreign aid bill.
Both discharge petitions face the challenge of gathering enough signatures to bring the proposed legislation to the floor. While McGovern’s petition has received 86 signatures, all from Democrats, Fitzpatrick’s petition has only nine backers so far. The battle for support unfolds as time becomes a critical factor, with Ukraine’s urgent need for aid looming.
The tensions between the two camps are further exacerbated by disagreements over the content of the proposed bills. McGovern dismisses Fitzpatrick’s proposal, citing its lack of humanitarian aid and controversial immigration policies. In contrast, Fitzpatrick argues that his discharge petition allows for an amendment process to incorporate priorities from both sides of the aisle, emphasizing a bipartisan approach.
With the clock ticking, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), who is leading the bipartisan discharge petition with Fitzpatrick, emphasizes the urgency in approving the funding. He underscores the need for a bipartisan solution and hints at the impending deadline for Ukraine’s aid, recognizing the challenges ahead.
As the political tug-of-war continues, pressure mounts on Speaker Johnson to navigate the competing demands and bring some form of foreign aid proposal to the House floor. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has also weighed in, urging swift action and emphasizing the need for a vote on the Senate supplemental bill.
The battle over Ukraine aid has become a microcosm of the broader political divide in Congress, with both sides jockeying for leverage and seeking to advance their respective agendas. The outcome of this standoff is poised to have far-reaching implications, not only for the aid to Ukraine but also for the dynamics of power and decision-making within the House of Representatives.
