WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky secured the 218 signatures needed Wednesday to force House consideration of a second Epstein files transparency bill, once again bypassing Republican leadership.
All 214 House Democrats signed the discharge petition, along with Republicans Massie, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. Democratic Reps. Adam Smith and John Garamendi supplied the final two signatures.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act II would allow Jeffrey Epstein survivors, state attorneys general, local prosecutors and members of Congress to sue the Justice Department if it unlawfully withholds, delays or heavily redacts records covered by the original transparency law. It would also give victims access to unredacted records concerning themselves.
Massie says the DOJ is still withholding more than 3 million Epstein-related files despite a 2025 law requiring disclosure. The Justice Department says it has complied with that law and that unreleased material consists largely of duplicates, privileged information or records covered by legal exceptions.
Massie used the same procedural tactic last year to force the original Epstein Files Transparency Act onto the House floor. That bill ultimately passed 427-1 and was signed by President Donald Trump.
The new petition must remain on the discharge calendar for seven legislative days before a signer can formally move to bring it up. A floor vote could come in early December.
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