House Prepares Vote on Epstein Files Release, Speaker Johnson Backs Bipartisan Effort
The House will vote on legislation to release Jeffrey Epstein's Justice Department files, expected to pass with bipartisan support and Speaker Mike Johnson's backing.
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Overview
- The House is set to vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, bipartisan legislation compelling the Justice Department to release all Jeffrey Epstein investigation records.
- Speaker Mike Johnson supports the legislation, which is expected to pass the House, indicating strong bipartisan momentum for the release of Jeffrey Epstein's files.
- President Trump reversed his stance, now urging House Republicans to support the bill to avoid defeat, while also ordering investigations into Democrats' ties to Epstein.
- House Oversight Committee emails revealed evidence of President Trump's close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, including allegations he knew about girls and spent time with a victim.
- The bill is expected to pass the House, but its passage in the Senate remains uncertain, despite the Justice Department already providing thousands of relevant documents.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the political maneuvering and the eventual triumph of transparency advocates over initial resistance from Republican leadership. They highlight Speaker Johnson's "monthslong campaign to block" the release and President Trump's "stunning reversal" after "working behind the scenes to stop the effort," portraying the upcoming vote as a "major victory" for bipartisan proponents.
"The bill is expected to pass in the House with Republicans' support."
ABC News"The bipartisan effort, which has been led by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., was long fought by Trump and Republican leadership from reaching the House floor."
NPR"The House is expected to pass a bill today requiring the Justice Department to release its files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with enough bipartisan support to override a veto."
Semafor"Now the president has bowed to the growing momentum behind the bill and even said Republicans should vote for it."
Associated Press"The House is poised to vote overwhelmingly Tuesday for legislation to compel the Justice Department to release all its records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a major victory for the lawmakers in both parties who've been leading the push for months."
NBC News"The Epstein Files Transparency Act would require the Justice Department to publish "all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in DOJ's possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.""
USA TODAY"Trump's current position on the Epstein files cannot be categorized as anything other than a retreat, coming after months of pretending only 'weaklings' would be interested in them."
The Bulwark"Recent polls show that Trump remains extremely popular with Republicans, especially those who identify with the MAGA movement."
NBC News"Trump's recent support for the release of the Epstein files marks a significant shift in his stance on the issue, as he had previously resisted full disclosure for months."
USA TODAY"President Donald Trump on Monday said he would sign the bill to compel the Justice Department to release all files relating sex offender Jeffrey Epstein if it comes to his desk."
ABC News"The push for more disclosure in the years-old sex trafficking investigation into Epstein has come roaring back since the House returned to Washington after a nearly two-month absence during the government shutdown."
Associated Press"The legislation in question, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, has sparked turmoil within the president's party, as several GOP lawmakers publicly side with the many Democrats pushing for its passage."
USA TODAY"Trump's about-face was an acknowledgement of the stark political reality before him: scores of Republicans were preparing to vote for the bill that would require DOJ to make public every document it has on Epstein and his former girlfriend and associate Ghislaine Maxwell."
USA TODAY"The upcoming vote won't end the fight over the legislation, which would require passage in the Senate and the signature of President Donald Trump to become law."
USA TODAY"Trump’s reversal on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files may have been accepting the inevitable, a House vote this week that otherwise would see rank-and-file GOP break with the president on a vote to compel such a disclosure."
Deadline"Trump continues to have an affordability problem on his hands and at least some political instinct that this is a problem, but continues to flap around, with his team coming up with the least satisfying answers as to why this is the case, instead of leveling with Americans about what's actually going on: tariffs."
Reason"Trump’s statement followed a fierce fight within the GOP over the files and is a rare example of Trump backtracking because of opposition within his own party."
Associated Press"Trump's statement followed a fierce fight within the GOP over the files, including an increasingly nasty split with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had long been one of his fiercest supporters."
Fortune"House Republicans grappling with whether to vote to release the Justice Department’s files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein this week now have cover to do so from President Donald Trump, who reversed course by calling for them to vote “yes” Sunday."
Semafor"Trump's comments come after he and House Speaker Mike Johnson have gone to great lengths to prevent the vote from happening."
ABC News"Trump's handling of the issue has led in recent days to a public feud with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, traditionally one of his fiercest proponents."
BBC News"Trump's ask followed a tranche of emails mentioning figures on both sides of the aisle, including the president himself."
NBC News"Trump noted in the lengthy post that the Justice Department now has an additional investigation focused on Democrats who knew the convicted sex offender, at his request."
NPR"Trump's call for House Republicans to vote for the release of Epstein files reflects a shift in his stance, emphasizing transparency and a desire to move past what he describes as a Democrat hoax."
USA TODAY"Lawmakers seeking to force the release of files related to the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein are predicting a big win in the House this week with a “deluge of Republicans” voting for their bill and bucking the GOP leadership and President Donald Trump, who for months have disparaged their effort."
Fortune"Lawmakers seeking to force the release of files related to the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein are predicting a big win in the House this week with a “deluge of Republicans” voting for their bill and bucking the GOP leadership and President Donald Trump."
Associated Press"Massie was one of four Republicans who defied President Donald Trump and joined Democrats in signing the discharge petition which forced the vote this week."
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FAQ
The bill would require the release of all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to Jeffrey Epstein, including flight logs, lists of individuals and entities connected to Epstein, immunity deals, internal DOJ communications, and documentation of Epstein’s detention and death.
Bipartisan support stems from public demand for transparency regarding Epstein's criminal activities and the involvement of powerful individuals, as well as pressure from both parties to address concerns about justice and accountability.
Speaker Mike Johnson supports the legislation and is backing the bipartisan effort, which is expected to help ensure its passage in the House.
After passing the House, the bill will move to the Senate, where its passage remains uncertain despite the Justice Department already providing thousands of relevant documents.
President Trump initially opposed the release but reversed his stance, urging House Republicans to support the bill to avoid defeat, while also ordering investigations into Democrats' ties to Epstein.
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