Johnson wants discharge petition on troop funding bill

Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas) is trying to use a procedural maneuver to force a vote on a bill that would prevent Congress from cutting funding for any U.S. troops sent into harm’s way.

Johnson said Tuesday he plans to use a discharge petition to get the House to vote on his legislation (H.R. 511). The lawmaker would need to gather 218 signatures to force a vote.

“The Democrats can’t hide behind their ‘slow-bleed’ strategy forever,” Johnson said at a press conference. “Let’s call a floor vote and make the entire Congress go on the record for or against our troops.”

The House this week is considering a supplemental Iraq spending bill and Democrats want to attach strings to the measure in order to get U.S. troops to leave Iraq more quickly.

“If you really want to bring the troops home safely and soon, give them money for bullets and bullet-proof vests so they can finish the mission and return home,” Johnson said. “Just because it’s the politically popular idea of the moment, don’t hamstring our troops and make them fight with one arm tied behind their backs.”

Democrats strongly disagree with GOP statements that their plan would endanger U.S. soldiers. Instead, they say, it protects the troops while holding the Iraqi government accountable.