A discharge petition is a progressive era reform designed to reduce the power of the Speaker of the House. At the time the speaker was Joseph Cannon, who was known for his dominant style. It has only been used a handful of times, such as for the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act, as well as the re-authorization of the Export–Import Bank of the United States.
Background
A discharge petition allows a majority of house members to put legislation on a discharge calendar that after seven days, any signatory member can make a motion to discharge the bill out of the committee. A majority vote can force the bill to come to the immediate focus where it will be amended, debated, and votes taken.[1]