Congress on Brink of Forcing Epstein Files Release After GOP Resistance

For months, Republican leaders in the House scrambled to block any effort to release the Epstein files—but now, lawmakers finally have the votes to force it.

A bipartisan coalition led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a frequent Trump critic, and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has been pushing for transparency around Jeffrey Epstein’s ties and the government’s investigation into him and Ghislaine Maxwell. Their push stalled under House Speaker Mike Johnson, who resisted holding a vote.

That all changed with Tuesday’s special election in Arizona. Democrat Adelita Grijalva, elected to replace her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, is expected to sign onto Massie’s discharge petition as soon as she’s sworn in. That will bring the signature tally to the critical 218 needed to bypass leadership and force the bill onto the floor.

The bill, titled the Epstein Files Transparency Act, would require the Justice Department to release all unclassified records tied to Epstein and Maxwell, withholding only the personal information of victims.

Earlier this month, Massie and Khanna stood with multiple Epstein victims on Capitol Hill to rally support, directly challenging claims that survivors opposed the bill.

Still, even with momentum building, hurdles remain. The Senate would have to approve the measure, and President Trump—who once called Epstein a friend—has blasted the effort as a partisan “hoax.” That means he could ultimately veto the release if it reaches his desk.

For now, though, Congress is closer than ever to forcing the public disclosure of long-hidden files that many say could shake Washington, Wall Street, and beyond.