Key Takeaways:
- Showdown in the House: GOP leaders shut down the floor to block a Democratic-led stunt to force a vote on Epstein-related documents.
- Johnson Stands Firm: “There is no daylight between House Republicans and the president on maximum transparency,” says Speaker Johnson.
- Next Round: Expect fireworks after August recess as Massie and Khanna vow to push a binding vote.
House Republicans pulled the emergency brake on Monday, shutting down the floor and halting legislative business to block a last-minute Democratic maneuver to force a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
The drama unfolded as Democrats on the Rules Committee tried to sneak in a vote compelling the release of Epstein documents—a move Republicans blasted as political theater. Rather than play along, the GOP recessed the committee and sent lawmakers packing for the August break.
Democrats cried foul. “Republicans are so afraid of taking that vote that they are torching their own agenda instead of doing something they promised the voters they would do,” fumed Ranking Member Jim McGovern.
But GOP leadership says transparency is already in motion. Speaker Mike Johnson stressed, “There is no daylight between the House Republicans and the president on maximum transparency… All of that is in process right now.” He added, “If further congressional action is necessary, we’ll look at that. But I don’t think we’re at that point.”
Johnson declared, “Here’s what I would say about the Epstein files: There is no daylight between the House Republicans, the House, and the president on maximum transparency,” Johnson said Monday. “He has said that he wants all the credible files related to Epstein to be released. He’s asked the attorney general to request the grand jury files of the court. All of that is in process right now.”
“My belief is we need the administration to have the space to do what it is doing, and if further congressional action is necessary or appropriate, then we’ll look at that,” he continued. “But I don’t think we’re at that point right now because we agree with the president.”
Johnson later added, “There was nothing else that was time-sensitive this week that we needed to handle by way of a rule,” he said. “So the work of the House will continue all week, we’ll be here doing our work, and we won’t allow [Democrats] a platform to try and engage in political games.”
Meanwhile, Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna vowed to push forward with a discharge petition to force a binding vote later this year. Massie told reporters, “Their Epstein bill resolution is non-binding so it’s kind of fake,” he said. “The resolution I have with Khanna would be binding on the President.”
Bottom line: Democrats want headlines, not solutions. Republicans want the truth—minus the circus. Expect this fight to heat up when Congress returns in September.