House Republicans are close to finalizing a resolution aimed at addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to reports. The group, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, is seeking to draft a non-binding resolution that would affirm their commitment to transparency and respond to growing public and political pressure. However, internal divisions within the party have complicated the process, as some members have pushed back against the measure.
On Thursday, Rules Committee Rep. Ralph Norman became the only Republican on the panel to support a Democratic amendment calling for the release of information related to Epstein’s case. This move has sparked an outcry from some of the party’s constituents, who are calling for more proactive action from the Trump administration and Congress. Despite this, Norman indicated that the group was nearing a solution, with the possibility of a meeting scheduled for the evening of Thursday.
Johnson and other Republicans are under pressure to craft a resolution that would help counter Democratic accusations of lack of transparency on the issue. The House Rules Committee needs to meet either Thursday night or Friday morning to clear the $9 billion rescissions package. However, another Epstein-related vote is set to be included during the meeting, further complicating the situation for Republicans.
Democrats are leveraging the situation to criticize the GOP’s approach, with one senior aide stating that the delay in forming language to address the case highlights the party’s failure to act against pedophiles. Johnson has emphasized that House Republicans are in favor of transparency, though the exact nature of the resolution and its implications remain unclear. The resolution will be a critical test for the GOP, as they attempt to balance internal pressures with the need to maintain public support and credibility.