Congress Nears Vote to Force Epstein Files Release

A bipartisan effort led by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is close to forcing a House vote to compel Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to release all unclassified files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite President Donald Trump's dismissal of the issue as a "Democrat hoax," growing dissatisfaction from both Republicans and Democrats has increased pressure on the administration to disclose the documents. The discharge petition spearheaded by Khanna and Massie is one signature short of the 218 needed to trigger a vote and is expected to gain the final signature following a special election in Arizona. Many Republican lawmakers, including members of the Freedom Caucus, have been vocal about the need for transparency, even if they have not signed the petition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has also pushed for a vote on releasing the files through an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, though it is unlikely to reach the 60 votes required. The controversy continues as Republicans privately acknowledge that congressional legislation mandating the release of Epstein files is inevitable, despite Trump’s efforts to move past the issue.