There’s renewed bipartisan interest in pushing for a House vote on the Epstein Files, especially from Republicans, although it seems momentum may depend on GOP interests coming out of a slow August.
Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) have spearheaded a bill aiming to release these files, which has led to a standstill in the chamber, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to make an early exit for members. As of Wednesday, 11 Republicans and nine Democrats have signed on as co-sponsors.
Massie and Khanna are determined to sidestep House leadership by filing a discharge petition, requiring 218 signatures to get the bill to the floor. Such petitions don’t succeed often; in fact, they’re pretty rare among the majority party. Still, if those 11 GOP co-sponsors join forces with every Democrat, they might just pull it off.
Procedural hurdles mean we probably won’t see a vote until September.
This proposal calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the files in a public format that’s easily searchable and downloadable.
Massie has taken the lead within the GOP, drawing attention away from Speaker Johnson.
The House plans to leave for a break on Thursday, catching the attention of Democrats who have criticized Johnson for sidestepping summer votes regarding the Epstein Files.
Among those in support are:
Lauren Boebert
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), a staunch ally of former President Trump, has been vocal about the need for special advisors to investigate the handling of these files. “People are frustrated. I’d like to know if there’s more information,” she noted recently. Back when she was campaigning in 2020, she even entertained conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s death.
Boebert has previously praised Trump’s actions in unveiling what she refers to as the Epstein Files.
Jeff Van Drew
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) switched his party affiliation to GOP in 2020, largely influenced by Trump. While he represents a part of New Jersey that has not heavily commented on the Epstein Files, he stated, “The American people deserve full transparency” in a recent post.
Marjorie Taylor Greene
For Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), the Epstein issue marks rare alignment with dissenting views. She warned that failing to address these matters could alienate voters, remarking, “If you convey the foundation of those who support you…” adding a sense of urgency to the issue.
She last week celebrated Trump’s request to seal a transcript related to Epstein, dismissing the resulting Democratic outrage as “fake.”
Eric Burrison
Rep. Eric Burrison (R-Mo.) has heavily criticized the DOJ and “deep state” for keeping Epstein-related files hidden. He raised doubts about the official narrative surrounding surveillance footage from Epstein’s cell around the time of his death, which officially was ruled a suicide.
Tim Burchett
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) is also pushing to subpoena Epstein’s long-time associate through a House Oversight subcommittee. He remarked afterward that the move felt significant and criticized Democrats for their delay on the issue.
Cory Mills
Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) has not yet commented publically on the resolution but garnered attention due to a separate court issue regarding unpaid rent. He’s previously served under Trump on the Defense Business Committee and represents an area in central Florida.
Max Miller
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) expressed support last week for the push towards transparency, recalling his past role as a senior adviser to Trump. He also recently shared a bizarre encounter with a man wielding a Palestinian flag.
Eli Crane
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), who endorses Trump wholeheartedly, is backing Massie’s initiative, citing the necessity of transparency as essential.
Nancy Mace
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) linked her support for Epstein disclosure to personal experiences of alleged sexual violence. She’s been vocal about wanting to see accountability for perpetrators and emphasized the need for governmental transparency, suggesting that recent public distrust underscores the importance of releasing these files.
Keith Self
In a recent interview, Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) expressed confidence that the bipartisan Khanna initiative would pass smoothly through the House. “This is about justice, transparency, and holding the government accountable,” he stated, emphasizing the strong public support for revealing the Epstein Files.
Tom Barrett
Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) has called for the release of the Epstein Files, highlighting public demand for answers.
Democrats
With at least nine Democrats joining forces on the measure, the party is leveraging GOP restlessness over this issue and pushing for a decisive vote. Notable co-sponsors include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and others.
