How the 'discharge petition' is frustrating House leadership

Discharge petitions, once a rare tool to seize control of the House floor, are increasingly plaguing Republican leaders and giving Democrats outsize sway despite being the minority.

The legislative procedure, used successfully as recently as this past week, bypasses the committee process and forces legislation directly to a floor vote if a simple majority signs on in support. So far this Congress, eight discharge petitions have reached the threshold, with six receiving a full vote and passing the House.