Johnson clashes with Republican dissenters over discharge petition

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is confronting growing political tension as a group of Republican lawmakers plans to employ an uncommon procedural move to force votes on legislation addressing stock trading restrictions and sanctions on Russia. The maneuver challenges Johnsons authority and complicates his effort to maintain unity within a divided caucus ahead of key votes on national defense, government funding, and other priorities aligned with President Trumps agenda.

Republicans have increasingly considered discharge petitions, which require 218 signatures, after several members collaborated with Democrats in November to compel a vote on a bill requesting the Justice Department release files linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) announced plans to introduce a discharge petition to advance a bipartisan bill that would prevent lawmakers, their spouses, dependents, and trustees from trading individual stocks.

Stock trading bans have long been debated in Congress, though proposals rarely progress. Any attempt by Johnson to block this petition could provoke backlash. The current bill, sponsored by Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), had 101 cosponsors by late November, including 21 Republicans, with backing from prominent conservatives such as Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.).

Earlier, Johnson expressed support for banning lawmakers from trading individual stocks, citing concerns about impropriety, but acknowledged arguments about stagnant congressional salaries since 2009 amid rising inflation. Magaziner commented that the key hurdle is Johnsons decision on how to proceed.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) praised the discharge petition as a critical tool for rank-and-file members to address insider trading concerns. Typically challenging to execute, discharge petitions have become more viable under Johnsons leadership due to the slim GOP majority, empowering lawmakers frustrated by legislative delays or leadership opposition.

Foreign policy also presents challenges. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) indicated plans for a discharge petition to force a vote on bipartisan sanctions against countries aiding Russias war in Ukraine, following criticism of the Trump administrations 28-point peace proposal, which some Republicans viewed as pro-Moscow. U.S. officials have clarified the plan is not final, and Ukraine has agreed to its core elements.

Trump had previously endorsed a vote on the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, but Fitzpatricks move reflects a push for faster legislative action. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) suggested the House should act first due to revenue implications, while Johnson argued it would be faster for the Senate, with broad support, to take the lead.

Johnson is also under pressure from Democrats. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) gathered 218 signatures on a discharge petition to restore union rights for federal workers, with Republican signatories including Reps. Don Bacon, Mike Lawler, Rob Bressan, Nick LaLota, and Fitzpatrick. Golden noted the bill could reach a vote as early as December 2.

Additional tensions are expected over health care, as President Trump opposes extending Affordable Care Act subsidies due to expire, potentially conflicting with bipartisan negotiations for a two-year extension. Johnson faces mounting pressure from both party factions as he navigates internal disputes.

At some point, if you have a mass majority in the House to include Democrats the will of the House will win, Bacon remarked, highlighting the ongoing challenge Johnson faces in balancing party unity and legislative priorities.

Author: Sophia Brooks