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.