Ken Buck signs Democratic discharge petition to force Ukraine aid vote

Outgoing Colorado GOP Rep. Ken Buck on Thursday signed a Democratic discharge petition that seeks to force consideration of a Senate-passed foreign aid package that includes funds for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel.

A discharge petition is a procedural mechanism by which a majority of lawmakers may force consideration of a piece of legislation. While House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to consider the Senate package, Democrats have begun circulating the petition, hoping to circumvent him. The measure would require majority support and Buck's signature made him the first Republican to sign on to the plan, The Hill reported.

Buck is slated to leave Congress on Friday. He previously announced that he would not seek reelection but abruptly declared he would leave before the end of his current term. He was reportedly expelled the Freedom Caucus this week and has broken with the GOP on key issues, such as the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, in the leadup to his exit.

The Colorado Republican also signed a separate, bipartisan discharge petition that includes a more modest aid proposal. His exit from Congress will not impact either petition and his signature will remain on both until a special election determines his successor. His name would disappear should his replacement sign either petition.

Ukraine aid remains a divisive subject within the House Republican Conference, though aid to Israel and Taiwan is much more popular. Democrats, nonetheless, expect that the Senate aid package would easily pass the lower chamber should it actually come up for a vote.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.