Top House Republicans are preparing to bypass Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and force votes on a series of bills related to aid to Ukraine and U.S. border security.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, is preparing legislative action as a contingency if Johnson fails to bring the Ukraine aid bill to the floor. He said there was.
“It’s existential and time-sensitive. Whether it’s ours or not. [bill] Or somebody else’s money, we just put the money out,” Fitzpatrick told reporters Thursday morning.
Traditionally, the House majority leadership controls which bills are brought to a vote. But Fitzpatrick’s bill, known as a “petition for expulsion,” would allow rank-and-file members to force votes on specific bills with the support of a simple majority of the House.
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Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania, left) told reporters he is preparing an expulsion petition to force a vote on aid to Ukraine if House Speaker Mike Johnson does not act soon. he said.
However, the bill must sit in the House Rules Committee for seven days before it can be invoked.
“All this does is add pressure points to something that is very time-sensitive, at least to put a backstop in place. That is, if no one can make a conclusion about what to put on the floor. , if someone is afraid to put something on the floor, it’s ready to go,” Fitzpatrick told FOX News Digital.
Earlier this month, he spearheaded a bipartisan bill aimed at providing about $66 billion in military-only aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, but it included a number of changes to the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. Strict border measures were also to be introduced.
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The bill comes after a larger $118 billion border and overseas aid package failed in the Senate amid Republican protests that it did not do enough to solve the immigration crisis.
Since then, members of both houses of Congress have urged Johnson to vote on some form of aid to Ukraine, citing Kiev’s recent defeat in the war against Russia amid shortages of ammunition and personnel. They argue that helping Ukraine defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin now will prevent a broader European conflict, one that could draw the United States into direct conflict with Moscow. ing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly appealed to Congress for more aid. (Photo Credit: Eric Lalmand / Pool / Photo News via Getty Images)
Prime Minister Johnson has not been very clear about his strategy for dealing with Ukraine. He faces immense pressure from the right to hold up legislation related to aid to Ukraine, as most Republicans want the U.S. to stay out.
For one of Mr. Johnson’s fellow Republicans to sideline him on a high-level issue like Ukraine would be a big step, but it could also give him an opportunity to escape the wrath of Republican hardliners.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said he had not discussed the discharge application with Mr. Johnson.
Fox News Digital asked Mr. Fitzpatrick whether the move was intended to give Mr. Johnson some wiggle room with Republican critics of his support for Ukraine. The Pennsylvania Republican smiled, nodded, and said, “Your words, not mine.”
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Under the current structure of the House, 217 members would need to sign Fitzpatrick’s removal petition for it to be brought to the floor.
Rep. Marc Molinaro (R.N.Y.), whose district has many Ukrainians, said House negotiators were “closer to an agreement” so there would be no need to take “unconventional” steps. He expressed his expectations.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told Fox News Digital that he thinks House Speaker Mike Johnson has a chance of passing the Ukraine aid bill. (Getty Images)
“We will continue to support them in providing lethal support, but also with appropriate oversight. “Hopefully we can make that happen and reach an agreement to secure our borders. I think we understand that there is a great deal of interest in getting a deal done,” Molinaro said.
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Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), the House Freedom Caucus policy chairman, was pessimistic about the move.
“I think the speakers tend to just want to bring Ukraine to its knees,” Roy said. “So whether it’s a release petition or not, what’s going to happen is we’re going to destroy Congress.” [spending] Cap, we’re going to spend more money, we’re not going to protect our borders. Ukraine will receive funding. And Americans will wonder what the difference is between the two parties. ”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Johnson’s office for comment. At the time of the interview, no calls were received.
