One day ahead of his official exit from Congress, US Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) agreed to sign his Democratic colleagues' foreign aid discharge petition — becoming the first Republican to do so "amid GOP concerns about surrendering the House floor to Democrats," according to Axios.
Per Axios, the petition "would force a vote on the Senate's $95 billion aid package to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan," which House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) still refuses to bring to the House floor in order to appease his ultraconservative colleagues.
Buck's move comes two days after the far-right House Freedom Caucus voted to remove him from the group.
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The Colorado congressman has received backlash from GOP colleagues over his refusal to back Trump's attempt to overturn the 2020 election, and criticism of House Republicans' efforts to impeach President Joe Biden despite no evidence of crime.
"We've got to fund Ukraine and help people who are yearning for freedom," Buck told reporters ahead of his Friday, March 22 exit from the House, Axios reports.
The news outlet notes, "Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) has a competing discharge petition on a $66 billion munitions-only aid package that also includes border security policy changes, which was introduced by a bipartisan group of centrists."
CBS News reports, "Though only 15 signatures have been gathered so far, including Fitzpatrick's, supporters are bullish on its prospects. Speaking with CBS News, Fitzpatrick predicted a 'dam break' that will lead to a wave of support and signatures."
READ MORE: 'Give us the majority for the rest of the year': Lawmakers respond to Ken Buck’s 'alarming' exit
CBS also notes, "Democrats have been trying to get their own discharge petition to the floor, one that would force a vote on the Senate national security bill, which would provide funding for Israel and Taiwan, as well as Ukraine, but Johnson will not allow a vote on it, citing the absence of language to strengthen security at the U.S.-Mexico border."
Axios' full report is available at this link.
