House Republicans are preparing again to bypass Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., by filing new discharge petitions aimed at forcing floor votes on stalled legislation to impose severe Russian sanctions and to ban congressional stock trading.
The expected moves come after Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., backed a successful discharge petition to force a floor vote on legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The legislation passed 427-1.
Discharge petitions, which require 218 votes to succeed, empower rank-and-file members who are frustrated by legislative roadblocks, such as stalled bills in committee or opposition from leadership. Because Republicans hold such a slim majority, it takes only a few defectors siding with Democrats to advance a petition, as seen with the Epstein vote.
Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.