House Republicans Target Russia Sanctions Vote via Discharge Petition

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., is supporting an effort to force a House vote on sanctions against Russia, stating he and other Republican lawmakers are prepared to pursue a discharge petition if chamber leadership does not bring the bill to the floor.

According to Bacon, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., plans to begin gathering signatures for a petition tied to Fitzpatrick’s Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 as early as next week.

“Well, it’s going to be Fitzpatrick doing it, but I’m gonna support it,” Bacon said. The initiative aims to secure 218 signatures to compel the House to vote on the legislation despite party leadership objections.

A discharge petition requires this threshold of signatures to bypass chamber leaders and force a bill to the floor—a maneuver rarely successful due to its requirement for members to circumvent party leadership.

Fitzpatrick introduced the legislation in December alongside House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., and other lawmakers. The bill would impose sanctions on Russia if it refuses to negotiate peace with Ukraine, violates such an agreement, or initiates another military invasion of Ukraine.

Specifically, the proposal targets senior Russian officials, seeks to sever Russia’s access to global financial systems, and imposes penalties tied to alleged war crimes.

Bacon acknowledged communications with GOP leaders and the White House, noting potential openness to advancing the bill without a discharge petition. “I found the president says the right things at times and backs off,” he said. “So I’m more inclined to keep the pressure on. But it was good to hear yesterday that there was a willingness to consider just putting this on the floor without a discharge.”

Bacon also criticized President Trump’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, describing it as “trying to act like a neutral referee in a boxing match.” He added, “I’d love to hear him have more moral clarity on this fight.”

Bacon, who is not seeking reelection in November, has repeatedly broken with Trump on key issues. Earlier this week, he became the first Republican to co-sponsor legislation granting Congress authority to block presidential pardons. He has also opposed continued U.S. aid to Ukraine and voted to repeal the president’s tariffs on Canada—a move that has drawn criticism from Trump.