House Democrats, Republicans join behind proposed bill to release Epstein files

Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the House have come together to support legislation put forward by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to mandate the release of more files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Massie announced Tuesday evening that he would be introducing a discharge petition and could start collecting signatures in a week. 

A discharge petition is a procedural tool that can be used in the House. It lets a majority of representatives force a bill out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote. It requires 218 signatures to move forward. 

"We all deserve to know what’s in the Epstein files, who’s implicated, and how deep this corruption goes. Americans were promised justice and transparency," Massie wrote on the social media platform X. "We’re introducing a discharge petition to force a vote in the US House of Representatives on releasing the COMPLETE files."

Massie said in a separate X post he could start collecting signatures in a week. 

MTG and AOC are on the same side of the issue 

At present, lawmakers who have co-sponsored Massie's effort include Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., Eli Crane, R-Ariz., Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., Eric Burlison, R-Mo., Cory Mills, R-Fla., Tom Barrett, R-Mich., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Max Miller, R-Ohio., James McGovern, D-Mass., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. and Henry Johnson. R-Ga., D-Ga.

The Trump administration has received backlash for how it has handled the files related to Epstein. Earlier this month, it was reported that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and Attorney General Pam Bondi got into an argument over the matter, resulting in rumors about Bongino considering leaving the FBI. 

On Thursday evening, Trump said he instructed Bondi to release grand jury testimony related to Epstein.

"Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval," he wrote on TRUTH Social. "This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!"

Congress wants all the files

Bondi responded on X by saying that she was ready to unseal the grand jury transcripts. The Justice Department on Friday afternoon formally asked a federal judge to unseal grand jury testimony related to the prosecution of Epstein. 

Massie said that the pressure was working, but Congress wanted "all the files."

If the discharge petition works and moves forward, the House would be voting on the "The Epstein Files Transparency Act," which would require the Attorney General to disclose to the public all documents, communications and investigative materials that are in the possession of the DOJ, FBI and United States Attorneys’ Offices.

Under the legislation, the documents, communications and other materials that would have to be declassified include:

• Flight logs Epstein had in his possession;
• Individuals or government officials named in investigations into Epstein;
• Internal DOJ communications about Epstein;
• Documentation about Epstein's death; and
• Information concerning entities that had known or alleged ties to Epstein's sex-trafficking network. 

Respecting victims' privacy

The legislation says the Attorney General can redact or withhold portions of the records that may potentially identify any victims of Epstein, anything that depicts or contains child sexual abuse material, death or physical harm to someone, or information that could jeopardize any ongoing investigations.

Epstein died in prison in August 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex-trafficking and an array of other charges in connection with her procurement of minors for Epstein's indulgence.

She said she was willing to testify before Congress about the Epstein files, sources told The Daily Mail. At press time, Just The News could not verify the accuracy or authenticity of that purported offer.