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Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, has initiated a discharge petition to compel a vote on releasing all files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This move marks one of the first actions in the House as lawmakers return from their summer recess. The petition aims to force the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disclose documents concerning Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.
The petition is co-sponsored by Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California. The two lawmakers are pushing for transparency and accountability, arguing that the public deserves to know the full extent of Epstein's criminal activities and associations. Representative Debbie Dingell from Michigan expressed that there is "enormous pressure" to release these files, especially from survivors of Epstein's crimes.
Massie and Khanna plan to hold a joint press conference on Wednesday (September 3) at the U.S. Capitol. They will be joined by survivors of Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes, who will share their stories publicly, some for the first time.
Massie hopes that House Speaker Mike Johnson will heed the victims' pleas and allow a vote on the legislation.