Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) signed a Democratic discharge petition for foreign aid, marking a significant shift in the Republican stance on the issue.
What Happened: Buck signed the petition on Thursday, reported Axios. This petition would compel a vote on the Senate’s $95 billion aid package to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
Buck is the first Republican to sign this petition, a move that has raised concerns among GOP members about ceding control of the House floor to Democrats.
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The petition now has 188 signatures, including Buck’s, but it requires 218 to force a vote. Notably, many progressives have expressed their reluctance to sign it.
Another Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), has also initiated a discharge petition for a $66 billion munitions-only aid package, which includes border security policy changes. This petition has only 16 signatures, 10 of which are Republicans, with Buck being the most recent addition.
Why It Matters: Buck, who has been a vocal critic of the impeachment efforts against President Biden, is set to leave Congress on Friday. His signature on the petition will remain valid until his district votes in a special election to replace him, which is scheduled for June 25.
Buck’s unexpected move comes after his recent decision to retire early, a move that has been seen as a potential threat to the Republican Party and its presidential candidate, Donald Trump. His early retirement has been described as “bad for the Republican party and really bad for House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO),” by Trump’s niece, Mary Trump.
The U.S. aid for Ukraine has been in limbo for nearly a year due to divisions among lawmakers. On a global scale, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has voiced support for diverting billions from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, calling for a more assertive approach in seizing the assets themselves. This move, if implemented, could significantly impact the ongoing conflict.
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