House Speaker Mike Johnson is about to have an Epstein vote crammed down his throat.
Can’t Hide Forever
To avoid a binding vote that would force release of the Epstein files, Speaker Johnson sent the House home early for summer recess.
That’s a move that can work precisely one time. Once the House is back in session, Johnson will face the issue again.
12 Republicans Want the Epstein Files Released
The Wall Street Journal reports Why These 12 Republicans Want the Epstein Files Released
A dozen House Republicans from different corners of the party are defying President Trump and party leadership to back a bipartisan effort seeking more information relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The bill led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) would demand that the attorney general disclose all materials from the federal investigation into Epstein, with some exceptions to protect victims’ identities and redact explicit material. Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.), the lead Democrat on the measure, said he expects all Democrats and some Republicans will sign on to their discharge petition to force a vote over the objections of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.).
Johnson has criticized the Massie measure as poorly crafted and favors allowing a vote on an alternative, nonbinding measure. Johnson said on CNN he wants “everything to come out about the Epstein evils that is possible to be released.” Trump has called the Epstein files a “hoax.”
A possible vote would come in September, once lawmakers are back from August recess.
The List of 12
- Rep. Tom Barrett (R., Mich.), 44: “There are too many questions and not enough answers about the Epstein files. I agree that it’s time to release them, which is why I put my name on a resolution to force their release and give the American people the transparency they deserve.”
- Rep. Lauren Boebert (R., Colo.), 38: “We want to see the list. Period. I don’t care what names are on it. I want to see what names are on it and why.”
- Rep. Tim Burchett (R., Tenn.), 60: “Ultimately, I don’t answer to the president or the voters. I’m going to answer to my maker as a Christian.”
- Rep. Eric Burlison (R., Mo.), 48: “This is not about politics. It’s about principle. When government hides abuse, it’s our job to uncover it.”
- Rep. Eli Crane (R., Ariz.), 45: “I believe transparency should be the hallmark of every administration whether they’re Democrat or Republican.”
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.), 51: “I will never protect pedophiles or the elites and their circles.”
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R., S.C.), 47: “I’ve always been an advocate for women and children. The Jeffrey Epstein case is no different. I want to see arrests.”
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.), 54: “This transcends all other issues. This is about whether there’s an elite and powerful group of people who are above the law or whether they answer to the law. And that’s what this is about. And right now, anybody who wants to subvert or keep the Epstein files secret, they are on the wrong side.”
- Rep. Max Miller (R., Ohio), 36: “I believe in transparency and delivering the truth to the American people.”
- Rep. Cory Mills (R., Fla.), 45: “This is a bipartisan issue, where no one wants to see women and children being sexually exploited, trafficked or in some way having this predatory manner. And so I think that it’s a universal thing, that we want those who have actually committed these types of crimes to be held accountable.”
- Rep. Keith Self (R., Texas), 72: “We want transparency and accountability and justice. We want to expose the criminals and we want to protect the victims, because let’s just be honest. Some people may have flown on the plane, but they’re not charged and did nothing wrong. But we want accountability.”
- Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.), 72: “The American people deserve full transparency.”
I like Jeff Van Drew’s reason the best. It’s simple and to the point. “The American people deserve full transparency.”
Transparent Lie of the Day Award
- Speaker Johnson: wants “everything to come out about the Epstein evils that is possible to be released.”
- Trump says “It’s a hoax”.
If it’s all a hoax, that’s easy to prove. Release the files so everyone can see what’s inside.
Johnson is a pathetic liar. He recessed the House early to avoid a vote. And now Johnson supports a “nonbinding effort”.
It’s clear that Trump and Johnson are protecting someone or ones.
Let the chips fall where they may.
The Vote
To force a vote in the House of Representatives by bypassing the Speaker, a majority of members must sign a discharge petition. This requires 218 signatures from the 435 voting members.
As of August 4, 2025, the House has 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats. There are also four vacant seats, according to Congress.gov.
Therefore, to reach the 218 signatures necessary to force a vote, Democrats would need all 212 of their members to sign the petition, and then at least 6 Republicans would need to join them (212 + 6 = 218).
At least six of the above 12 seems likely.
Importantly, if the House of Representatives votes to release the Epstein files, the Senate does not have to approve.
From AI:
Releasing Congressional Records: The process of releasing congressional records, such as those that might be considered “Epstein files” if they are under congressional control, would be governed by the rules and procedures of the chamber holding those records, says Congress.gov.
If the House were to vote to release files held by the executive branch (like the Justice Department or FBI), the House might utilize its oversight powers, such as issuing subpoenas to compel the release of those records. The executive branch may then choose to comply or challenge the subpoena in court.
Bring it on.
Trump is protecting himself and/or other high-ranking Republicans. We deserve to know who.
“The American people deserve full transparency,” nothing less.
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