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Extreme Mortman: What Is a Discharge Petition? Scott Wong Has Answers …
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January 29, 2026
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January 29, 2026
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53:19Now PlayingIn September 1993, Ross Perot held a press conference on Capitol Hill. He was surrounded by members from both parties. The topic: the then-secretive and mysterious discharge petition:
"Well, this is a great day for our country. I am certain that the framers of the Constitution and the signers of the Declaration of Independence are looking down from heaven smiling on this reform. For 63 years, there was a handful of leaders in the House of Representatives who decided the agenda, not the members of the House. This was an unlikely event to occur, but it did occur because of the leadership and the courage of the people who signed that petition."
Soon after Ross Perot's 1993 press conference, the House of Representatives ended its 63- year-old tradition of secrecy surrounding discharge petitions.
They became public. And so did the list of members who signed them.
And that changed everything.
What is a discharge petition?
How does it work?
And in 2026, what does it have to do with health care… with members of Congress owning stocks .. and with Jeffrey Epstein?
And -- how has the discharge petition changed politics in Congress – particularly when the Republican House majority is razor thin?
Scott Wong Has Answers! …
The NBC News senior congressional reporter joins C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" …. Scott Wong explains how the discharge petition has become a game changer in Congress.
So, if you have lots of questions about the discharge petition – but were afraid to ask – then listen to the latest episode of "Extreme Mortman" – with very special guest - Scott Wong of NBC News.
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