House Democratic whip dares 'five patriots' in GOP caucus to sign debt ceiling discharge petition

Democrats in the United States House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously signed a discharge petition to force a vote to raise the Treasury Department's debt ceiling to stave off an unprecedented default ahead of the June 1st deadline.

"The procedural gambit is a long shot," The Hill noted, because Republicans are unlikely to "buck" House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-California) demand for substantial spending cuts to social programs as he continues to negotiate with President Joe Biden.

Nonetheless, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Massachusetts) urged her GOP colleagues to do just that, emphasizing in a dramatic floor speech that only five votes are necessary for the measure to pass.

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"I, I don't know how my colleagues across the aisle who voted for the Default on America Act are gonna look our veterans in the eye this Memorial Day," Clark said before blasting Republicans for once again dragging the global economy to the brink of disaster.

"You, you have presented our country with an impossible choice; devastating cuts, or devastating default. Hungry families or homeless seniors. Kids without classrooms or parents without jobs. Empty V[eterans] A[dministration] clinics — empty VA clinics or empty savings accounts. And now you're sending us home with no resolution. That's the plan — to default to run out the clock," Clark continued.

"Well, I have some good news for you. Two-hundred-and-thirteen — every single member of the Democratic caucus has signed the discharge petition. So before you go home, before you go home, it only takes five patriots — five patriots to join us in the fight for the American people. Join us. Sign the petition. Stay here and fight for American families. Fight for their American security. I yield back," Clark concluded.

"Reclaiming my time, Madam Speaker," said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana).

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House Speaker Pro Tempore Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) then declared while pounding the giant gavel that "the House will be in order."

Watch Clark's address below or at this link.

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