House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is mobilizing fellow Democrats around a complex parliamentary strategy aimed at compelling a vote on increasing the debt limit.
The “hail Mary” maneuver represents a challenging and potentially risky move that could put Republicans in a difficult position as the fiscal deadline rapidly approaches in Congress, Fox News reported.
At 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Democrats initiated a procedural measure known as a discharge petition. The measure, if successful, would enable a coalition of lawmakers to bypass House leadership and bring a bill directly to the floor for a vote.
Backers would need a minimum of 218 House members to sign the petition; given the current composition of the House, this would mean the support of all 213 Democrats and at least five Republicans.
If the discharge petition succeeds, Democrats would be able to vote on a debt-limit increase bill without any additional provisions and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) would have no means to prevent the vote from taking place.
However, it’s definitely a long-shot move, and the discharge petition needs to undergo a waiting period of seven legislative days before any action can be taken by the House.
“In the next few weeks, at the reckless urging of former President Trump, we confront the possibility that right-wing extremists will intentionally plunge our country into a default crisis. Emerging from the White House meeting, I am hopeful that a real pathway exists to find an acceptable, bipartisan resolution that prevents a default,” Jeffries wrote in a letter to Democratic colleagues urging all of them to sign onto the petition.
“However, given the impending June 1 deadline and urgency of the moment, it is important that all legislative options be pursued in the event that no agreement is reached. Accordingly, later on this morning, Budget Committee Ranking Member Brendan Boyle will file a discharge petition to provide a vehicle that may be necessary to protect the full faith and credit of the United States,” he added.
“It is imperative that Members make every effort to sign the discharge petition today, which will be available at the Clerk’s desk on the House Floor beginning at 10 a.m. As always, thank you for your leadership and unity of purpose in continuing to put people over politics.”
Fox News noted that it’s not a given that all Democrats would sign on as well.
