Ukraine supporters in US House collect signatures to force a vote on aid Bill
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Members of the Georgian Legion in Ukraine bidding farewell to two brothers-in-arms killed in a fight against Russian troops in southern Ukraine.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – US House of Representatives Democrats began collecting signatures on March 12 for a potential bid to sidestep Republican Speaker Mike Johnson and force a vote on a US$95 billion (S$126 billion) security assistance package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
A spokesperson for Representative Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the powerful House Rules Committee, said he had filed a discharge petition on March 12 morning and had started to collect signatures.
Mr McGovern filed legislation on Feb 15 that could be used as a vehicle for the discharge petition, a rarely used procedural tool that eventually could force a vote on the Bill if at least 218 House members – a majority of the chamber’s 435 voting members – sign it.
Months after Democratic President Joe Biden asked Congress to approve more foreign security assistance, the Senate in February approved the package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
Twenty-two Republicans joined most Democrats in voting “aye”.
But the aid has been in limbo in the House, facing resistance from Republicans closely allied with former president Donald Trump, the front runner for his party’s 2024 presidential nomination, who has opposed aid to Kyiv rather than loans.
Some opponents also argue that US taxpayer dollars should not be used for foreign conflicts when the country faces huge budget deficits. REUTERS
