Ukraine bill heading to the floor after discharge petition wins 218th signature |
Ukraine bill heading to the floor after discharge petition wins 218th signature
Ukraine’s supporters in Congress won a big victory on Wednesday when legislation to bolster Kyiv in its war with Russia secured the 218th signature on a discharge petition forcing the bill to the House floor.
Rep. Kevin Kiley (Calif.), a former Republican who became an independent earlier in the year, endorsed the procedural gambit on Wednesday morning, putting the petition over the top. He joins every Democrat and two Republicans — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) and Don Bacon (Neb.) — in signing the petition, which will force consideration of the proposal even over the opposition of the GOP leaders who control the floor.
Kiley said the legislation is needed for two reasons: to lend Ukraine a boost militarily, and to warn Russia against providing material support for Iran amid the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Tehran.
“Recent Ukrainian gains have created an opportunity for peace, but the collapse of the recent ceasefire shows that leverage is needed for diplomacy to succeed,” the California lawmaker wrote in a statement. “Congress can act now, in a bipartisan way, to strengthen that leverage and advance a durable peace........