House Democrats dare Republicans to vote against independent Russia investigation

In a letter to the Democratic caucus, she announced that she will be filing a “discharge petition” Wednesday to force a vote on the Swalwell-Cummings bill – also known as the “Protecting Our Democracy Act” or House Resolution 356.

The bill calls for the establishment of “an outside, independent commission to investigate President Trump’s ties to Russia” — something 78 percent of Americans support.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), ranking member of the CIA Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, introduced the bill in early December 2016.

Every House Democrat has signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill, yet to date, only two Republicans have joined them. And as a result of this obstructionism from the GOP, the bill has stalled in committee.

Pelosi’s filing of a discharge petition is a parliamentary tactic that forces a piece of legislation out of committee and to the floor of the House for a vote. It is rarely used, but Republican intransigence on this subject has made it necessary.

At a minimum, if the bill comes to the floor, Republicans will be forced to vote publicly either for or against such an investigation.

With Trump’s historically low approval ratings, the Democratic Party is poised to take back the House in 2018, and they are daring their Republican counterparts to put country before party in advance of those crucial elections.