Discharge petition

Definition

A discharge petition is a formal request in the House of Representatives that enables members to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for consideration, bypassing the committee's authority. This mechanism empowers the majority of the House to force action on legislation that may be stalled in committee, ensuring that important issues can be addressed without delay. The use of discharge petitions highlights the tension between committee leadership and the broader membership's desire to see specific bills debated and voted upon.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A discharge petition requires the signatures of a majority of House members (currently 218) to be successful.
2. Discharge petitions are used infrequently, as they can be seen as a challenge to committee authority and leadership.
3. Once a discharge petition is filed, it can take up to seven days before it can be brought to the floor for a vote.
4. The use of a discharge petition is often an indication of significant bipartisan support for a bill that may not have been prioritized by committee leaders.
5. Discharge petitions can only be initiated in the House; there is no equivalent process in the Senate.

Review Questions

• How does a discharge petition affect the relationship between committee leadership and the general membership of the House?
  • A discharge petition directly challenges the authority of committee leadership by allowing a majority of the House members to bypass the committee process and bring a bill directly to the floor. This can create tension, as committee chairs may feel undermined by members seeking to advance legislation that they have not prioritized. However, it also reflects a democratic aspect of Congress where the broader membership has a mechanism to assert their interests when they feel important issues are being stalled.
• Discuss the circumstances under which members of Congress might choose to utilize a discharge petition instead of following the traditional committee process.
  • Members may resort to a discharge petition when they believe that critical legislation is being neglected or unnecessarily delayed by committee leadership. This often happens with bills that have gained significant public support or bipartisan backing but struggle to make it out of committee due to various political dynamics. By using a discharge petition, members aim to ensure that these important issues are debated and voted on by the full House, reflecting their constituents' interests.
• Evaluate how discharge petitions can impact legislative outcomes and public policy in Congress.
  • Discharge petitions can play a crucial role in shaping legislative outcomes by forcing contentious or urgent issues onto the floor for debate and vote, even if they face resistance from committee leaders. When successfully employed, they can lead to significant legislative changes and influence public policy, as they often bring attention to pressing matters that require action. Furthermore, the successful use of discharge petitions may encourage greater participation from rank-and-file members, thereby altering the balance of power within Congress and making it more responsive to constituent needs.

Related terms

Committee Chair: The member of Congress who leads a committee, controls its agenda, and has significant influence over which bills are considered.

Majority Leader: The leader of the majority party in either house of Congress, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and coordinating party strategy.

Quorum: The minimum number of members required to be present for the House or Senate to conduct its business legally.