Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky) has filed a discharge petition to force the release of Justice Department files related to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, igniting a bipartisan effort to scrutinize the FBI’s handling of the case. The petition, which requires 216 additional signatures to reach the necessary threshold for a House floor vote, marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into Epstein’s crimes. Massie, who filed the petition shortly after Speaker Mike Johnson gavels the chamber into session, has expressed confidence in securing the required support, though he has denied engaging in vote-whipping tactics.
The bipartisan effort has garnered attention from prominent Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla), who have indicated their willingness to sign the petition. However, the White House has reportedly pressured some GOP cosponsors to stand down, according to Massie. Meanwhile, the Democratic leadership, led by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass), has swiftly endorsed the measure, with the Rules Committee planning to advance similar legislation during a Tuesday afternoon panel meeting. Democrats have consistently supported the release of information related to Epstein’s case, citing the importance of transparency and accountability.
Amid this political maneuvering, the House Oversight Committee has arranged meetings with victims of Epstein’s alleged crimes, raising concerns about the potential for privacy violations. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn), one of the GOP cosponsors of the Massie-Khanna measure, has expressed reservations about the legislation, stating that it may not adequately protect victims’ personal and medical information. Johnson, the House Speaker, has also voiced concerns that the legislation is