Summary
Speaker Mike Johnson is considering making it harder to use a tool called a discharge petition in the House of Representatives. This tool recently brought attention by forcing a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Johnson believes discharge petitions are being used too often and wants to change the rules to limit their use.
Key Facts
- A discharge petition can force a vote on a bill if a majority of House members support it.
- Speaker Mike Johnson is thinking about raising the requirements for discharge petitions as they have become more common.
- The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed with almost unanimous support after using a discharge petition.
- There have been only seven successful discharge petitions since 1935, but three happened in the last two years.
- A recent discharge petition that reached the needed number of signatures involves restoring union rights for federal workers.
- Any changes to the discharge petition rules can only happen at the start of a new Congress.
- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise also supports making it harder to use discharge petitions.
- Rep. Thomas Massie is worried that increased use of this tool could lead to its restriction or removal.
