The House may soon confront a direct test of its appetite for transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna filed a discharge petition, putting the plenary within striking distance of forcing a floor vote that would demand release of all Epstein-related files.
The procedure tabled by the Kentucky Republican bypasses leadership if 218 members sign. By midday Wednesday six Republicans had joined, including Tim Burchett and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
“The math is obvious, we’re going to get a vote on the full release of these Epstein files,” Khanna said.
Democrats appear willing to supply the remaining signatures. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern are pressing their caucus to sign en masse.
The petition cannot accept signatures for seven legislative days. With recess beginning July 25, the earliest action likely slips to September.
However, even a successful petition would issue only a directive. The Justice Department is not legally bound to comply, yet a lopsided House vote would sharply raise the political cost of continued secrecy.
The maneuver deepens a rift inside the Republican conference. Speaker Mike Johnson has echoed calls for transparency, but President Donald Trump dismissed the effort and urged allies to “move on.”
A recent Justice Department memo asserting Epstein died by suicide and kept no “client list” further stoked doubt. The memo offered no evidence, fanning calls for full disclosure.
On Monday, the House blocked a Khanna amendment that paired file release with cryptocurrency legislation, yet constituents are flooding district offices demanding answers.
If the new petition by Massie and Khanna reaches the floor, every member must take a recorded stance before the 2026 midterms. A yes vote risks a clash with a nominee who prizes loyalty; a no vote invites charges of shielding the powerful.
Trump has already initially said that he no longer wanted backing from anyone who, in his words, had swallowed the Epstein “bullshit” hook, line and sinker.
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