US House to Vote on Bill Demanding Release of Epstein Files Next Week
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he will put a bill compelling the release of government files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on the floor for a full vote next week, ahead of schedule. Despite his opposition to the bill, Johnson stated that it would be brought up immediately after the House returns from recess.
The move is made possible by Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva's swearing-in just hours earlier, which triggered a discharge petition automatically leading to a House floor vote on the legislation. Grijalva said in her remarks that "Justice cannot wait another day," as the 218th and final signature on the petition.
The bill has garnered support from several Republicans, including Nebraska's Don Bacon, Tennessee's Tim Burchett, and Pennsylvania's Rob Bresnahan. However, Senate leaders have shown no indication of bringing it up for a vote, and President Trump has denounced the effort as a "Democrat hoax."
Even if the bill passes the House, it still needs to go through the Senate and be signed into law by Trump. The release of Epstein files would be a significant development in the ongoing investigation into his activities. While there have been long-standing conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's death, which was ruled as a suicide, many are calling for more transparency.
The vote marks an escalation in pressure on lawmakers to make the documents public, with some arguing that justice must not wait any longer. The bill's prospects are uncertain, but it has already sparked significant debate and controversy.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he will put a bill compelling the release of government files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on the floor for a full vote next week, ahead of schedule. Despite his opposition to the bill, Johnson stated that it would be brought up immediately after the House returns from recess.
The move is made possible by Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva's swearing-in just hours earlier, which triggered a discharge petition automatically leading to a House floor vote on the legislation. Grijalva said in her remarks that "Justice cannot wait another day," as the 218th and final signature on the petition.
The bill has garnered support from several Republicans, including Nebraska's Don Bacon, Tennessee's Tim Burchett, and Pennsylvania's Rob Bresnahan. However, Senate leaders have shown no indication of bringing it up for a vote, and President Trump has denounced the effort as a "Democrat hoax."
Even if the bill passes the House, it still needs to go through the Senate and be signed into law by Trump. The release of Epstein files would be a significant development in the ongoing investigation into his activities. While there have been long-standing conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's death, which was ruled as a suicide, many are calling for more transparency.
The vote marks an escalation in pressure on lawmakers to make the documents public, with some arguing that justice must not wait any longer. The bill's prospects are uncertain, but it has already sparked significant debate and controversy.