Obscure Congressional Rules Offer Paths to Force Ukraine Aid Vote Despite Speaker Opposition
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Obscure Congressional rules like "discharge petitions" and "defeating the previous question" could be used to get a Ukraine aid package to the House floor without the Speaker's approval.
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A "discharge petition" needs 218 signatures to bypass the Speaker. Two are currently active related to Ukraine aid.
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"Defeating the previous question" allows the minority to take control of the House floor for an hour to bring up a bill. Last successfully used in 1988.
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A group of moderate Democrats called "Boll Weevils" teamed up with Republicans in 1981 to pass Reagan's tax cuts by defeating the previous question.
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It's unclear if and how Ukraine will get aid, but these arcane procedures offer a path to get a vote despite Speaker opposition.