House Passes Resolution to Release Epstein Files
After facing months of criticism, the House has approved a long-anticipated resolution aimed at making the Epstein files public.
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, teamed up with Democratic Representative Ro Khanna from California to write the resolution. They utilized an expulsion petition to prompt a vote in the House on Tuesday. This move came after the petition garnered 218 signatures last week, which included notable names such as Representatives Nancy Mace, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Lauren Boebert.
Interestingly, Louisiana’s Republican Representative Clay Higgins did not cast a vote in the end.
Initially, there were only four Republican sponsors for the petition, with some hesitant to support it. However, President Donald Trump changed his stance and encouraged Republican members to back the resolution. Following this, Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana, indicated their support on Tuesday.
“We aim for maximum transparency,” was a sentiment expressed by Trump, who stated on Air Force One that they have nothing to conceal. He further remarked that it’s time to move past what he referred to as “Democratic hoaxes” aimed at diverting attention from the successes of the Republican Party.
Despite Trump’s push for transparency, Speaker Johnson raised several “dangers” regarding the current resolution, including worries about the victims’ privacy and the potential mishandling of sensitive materials related to child abuse. “Some Republicans, including members from the Judiciary Committee, are struggling with their decision to vote yes today due to these concerns,” Johnson noted during a press conference.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, reflecting on the matter, advised his colleagues to follow their conscience. “No one should be afraid of being labeled as less than transparent,” he said, emphasizing the importance of recording their positions transparently.
The resolution is now headed to the Senate, and if it passes there, President Trump has confirmed his intention to sign it into law.
