The United States House of Representatives is set to vote next week on a measure compelling the Department of Justice to release all files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced. Johnson emphasized that the GOP-led Oversight Committee has been actively investigating the case, signaling a push to expedite transparency.
The move follows Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in on Wednesday. Grijalva immediately signed a bipartisan discharge petition a mechanism allowing a majority of lawmakers to bypass House leadership which now has the required 218 signatures to advance. The petition was originally introduced by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna.
Grijalva, who filled the Arizona seat previously held by her late father Raul Grijalva, had faced delays in being sworn in, which Democrats argued were intended to prevent her from joining the petition. Her signature, alongside 214 House Democrats and four Republicans Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Nancy Mace now moves the petition forward.
On her first day, Grijalva also voted with Democratic colleagues against reopening the government under the Senate-approved funding package, which ultimately passed 222-209, ending the historic federal government shutdown.
The announcement of the expedited vote comes amid growing scrutiny of Republicans and Democrats over accusations of protecting individuals connected to Epstein. Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett expressed frustration with procedural delays, insisting the vote be held immediately to resolve the issue.
The renewed attention to Epstein coincides with the release of new emails by House Oversight Democrats. In one communication, Epstein allegedly suggested that former President Donald Trump had “spent hours” with one of Epstein’s victims at his residence. Another email from 2019 claimed Trump “knew about the girls.”
Trump and White House officials have dismissed the emails as a “hoax” and reiterated that the administration has maintained unprecedented transparency regarding Epstein. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the emails “prove absolutely nothing” and reaffirmed that Trump did nothing wrong.
The forthcoming House vote is expected to determine whether the full body of Epstein-related documents will be publicly released, potentially shedding further light on the late financier’s network and connections to prominent figures.
