Republican dissenters spark discharge petition clash with Johnson

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is staring down a potential political firestorm in the coming weeks as a few Republican dissenters aim to use a rare procedural mechanism to force legislation on a stock trading ban and Russian sanctions onto the House floor.

His colleagues’ attempts to sidestep him on these issues puts Johnson in a bind, as he seeks to unify a divided and disgruntled caucus ahead of critical votes on a national defense policy bill, government funding measures and other key items tied to President Trump’s agenda.

Republicans have doubled down on the use of discharge petitions, which require the support of 218 lawmakers, after four Republicans joined Democrats in forcing a vote on a bill demanding the Justice Department release files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in November.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) has said she will introduce a discharge petition to force a vote on a bipartisan bill that would ban lawmakers, their spouses, dependent children and trustees from owning, buying or selling individual stocks.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/republican-dissenters-spark-discharge-petition-110000332.html