Rep. Thomas Massie is publicly urging his Republican colleagues to break ranks with House GOP leaders and join his crusade to force a vote on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. At a Wednesday press conference outside the Capitol, alongside some of Epstein’s accusers, Massie said he needed just two more members of his party to sign the discharge petition that would allow him to bypass leadership and get his bill to the House floor.
All Democrats are expected to support the petition, meaning only six Republican signatures are needed to meet the 218-member threshold. “We demand real accountability,” said Massie, a Kentucky Republican. “I encourage my colleagues … there’s over 200 Republicans who have not signed this discharge petition. We only need two of them to sign it.”
Massie’s effort seemed poised for success at one point but has faced a setback due to pressure from the Trump administration to step aside. Republican leaders have also cited the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s recent success in obtaining documents through a separate subpoena. “This is the most comprehensive investigation into Epstein and Maxwell to date,” said House Oversight chair James Comer (R-Ky.) at a GOP leadership press conference, highlighting his panel’s probe.
Comer also noted that Epstein’s estate will begin turning over materials on Sept. 8 in compliance with another subpoena that would, among other documents, compel the release of a “birthday book” reportedly containing a letter from President Donald Trump to Epstein.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) criticized Massie’s measure as “inartfully drafted,” asserting that the Oversight investigation will uncover new and relevant information as the Justice Department continues to turn over files. However, Massie countered that the Oversight approach is essentially allowing the DOJ to curate information, whereas his bill would require the DOJ to release nearly all of the materials within 30 days.
Massie’s bill would also require the DOJ to formally justify any redactions, stating that