The story so far
- Massie Vows Forced Vote on Epstein Files Next Week7 sources
- House GOP Report Finds Federal Failures in Epstein Case39 sources
- Epstein Files Bill Set for House Vote After Discharge PetitionYou are hereLatest
Updated 8m ago · Politics
Epstein Files Bill Set for House Vote After Discharge Petition
A discharge petition on new Epstein files legislation hit 218 signatures Wednesday. That forces a House floor vote over the objections of GOP leadership.
- 218th signature came from Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.
- 4 Republicans signed alongside every House Democrat.
- Republican signers: Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick, Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman.
- Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., co-leads the effort with Massie.
Why it matters: Massie says the Justice Department is defying the Epstein law Congress passed nearly a year ago. The new bill would add ways to enforce it.
- 3 million-plus files remain withheld, Massie says, with heavy redactions on others.
- Bill lets lawmakers, state attorneys general and victims sue the department.
- It bars the attorney general from claiming deliberative process privilege.
How 15 sources split on this story
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15 sources · 16 articles · 40% Center coverage
Where they split: The core dispute is whether the Justice Department has complied with the 2025 law; Massie says it has not, and no department response appears in the coverage.
Center coverage, 6 sources: The center frames it as a procedural milestone and a final push by a departing Massie amid pushback from Trump.
Roll Call4hAnother bill to release Epstein files headed to House floor - Roll CallAxios2hOutgoing Trump foe Massie forces new Epstein files showdownForbes3hNew Epstein Files Bill Has Enough Signatures To Force A House Vote, Rep. Massie SaysNewsweek18mShort List of Republicans Joining Thomas Massie to Force Epstein Files VoteNOTUS2hMassie Successfully Forces Another Epstein Files Vote - The Washington SunThe Hill2hMassie secures signatures to force vote on second Epstein files petition
Left coverage, 4 sources: The left frames it as House members forcing past Republican leaders to push more Epstein files into public view.
Political Wire4hHouse Members Force New Vote On Epstein FilesCBS News4hHouse petition for new Epstein files bill gets enough support to force voteABC News2hDischarge petition on 2nd Epstein files bill secures 218 signatures, teeing up floor actionRaw Story2hDOJ’s Epstein secrets in jeopardy after new threat from outgoing Trump foe: report
Right coverage, 5 sources: The right frames it as a lame-duck Massie's second successful bid to pry files from the Justice Department.
Just the News23hMassie crosses threshold to force House vote on full Epstein files releaseWashington Examiner2hMassie’s Epstein files discharge petition gathers enough support to force voteTwitchy5hRep. Robert Garcia Promises Public Hearings on the Biggest Cover-Up in White House HistoryNewsmax3hMassie Gets 218 Signatures for Epstein Files VoteThe Washington Times3hCongressional petition to force vote on Epstein files bill succeeds
What’s next: Any signer can call up the bill after seven legislative days. Massie said he wants a vote soon.
- Last year, Speaker Mike Johnson scheduled the first Epstein vote before that waiting period ended.
- Massie leaves Congress soon after losing his primary to a Trump-backed challenger.
- Will Speaker Johnson schedule the vote early, as he did last year?
- How many Republicans will vote for the bill once it reaches the floor?
- How will the Justice Department respond to Massie's claim of withheld files?
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