Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., was sworn into Congress on Wednesday, tipping the scales in the House to advance a bipartisan push for the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s documentation. Her swearing-in completed the needed support to force a vote on the release of the files, which have been held back by the Department of Justice (DOJ) despite calls for transparency.
Now with the oath of office, Grijalva is free to sign the discharge petition on a bill to instruct the DOJ to release its documentation on Jeffrey Epstein. If successful, the petition would bring the bill to the floor over the objection of the chamber’s leadership. This marks a significant step in a growing congressional effort to oversee the DOJ’s stalled investigation into Epstein’s alleged activities.
Grijalva, who fills her late father Raul Grijalva’s former seat, said signing the petition would be her first act as a member of Congress. ‘I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files. It’s past time for Congress to restore its role as the check and balance on this administration and fight for we, the American people,’ she stated.
Epstein, a former businessman and financier, died in 2019 while jailed on federal sex-trafficking charges involving minors. His death, ruled a suicide, left unanswered questions about whether he had used his expansive social circle to facilitate illegal sexual encounters for his contacts, including former President Bill Clinton, President Donald Trump, and Prince Andrew.
The DOJ had previously announced that its investigation had reached a dead end, prompting lawmakers led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to demand a vote on the matter. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., denied the request, stating that the DOJ was already conducting its internal review and complying with congressional requests. Despite this, Massie and three other Republicans joined all House Democrats in signing the petition, falling one signatory short of the 218 threshold needed to bring the bill to the floor.
With Grijalva’s support, Democratic leadership now believes the petition will come to the floor in December. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., the ranking member on the House Rules Committee, indicated that Johnson might attempt to delay the process, but if the timeline proceeds as planned, the vote could occur in early December.
Two of Epstein’s alleged victims attended Grijalva’s swearing-in, emphasizing the public’s demand for transparency. ‘Our democracy only works when everyone has a voice. This includes the millions of people across the country who have experienced violence and exploitation — including Liz Stein and Jessica Michaels, both survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse,’ Grijalva stated.
Johnson has expressed support for the measure in principle but believes certain aspects are poorly written and may lack the necessary protections for Epstein’s potential victims. This ongoing battle underscores the tension within the House between transparency demands and procedural challenges, as lawmakers navigate the complexities of the legislative process.