Mike Johnson Rejects Democrat Ploy to Force Floor Vote on Ukraine Aid

House Speaker Mike Johnson has vowed to oppose an unusual Democrat-led procedural gambit that would circumvent him and force a House floor vote on Ukraine aid.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks at a roundtable on the southern border at the U.S. Capitol, on Jan. 31, 2024. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he’s opposed to a Democrat-led procedural maneuver called a discharge petition that would force a floor vote in the House on a $95 billion emergency defense spending bill that includes aid for Ukraine.

“I certainly oppose it, and I hope that it would not be considered,” Mr. Johnson told Politico on Tuesday, referring to the discharge petition that every House Democrat has reportedly signed onto and that some Republicans may be persuaded to join.