House Democrats try to force release of Epstein files
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Rep. Ro Khanna waits to speak with attendees at a town hall in Anaheim, Calif., on March 23. Photo: Philip Cheung for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Several House Democrats are mounting long-shot efforts to force a House vote on making Attorney General Pam Bondi release all records related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Why it matters: Democrats are hoping to take advantage of a blow-up between President Trump and his base over the Epstein files by forcing their GOP colleagues to choose between them.
Driving the news: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told Axios he will file an amendment to the GENIUS Act, a cryptocurrency bill slated to be marked up by the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.
- The amendment, a copy of which was obtained by Axios, would require Bondi to "retain, preserve and compile any records or evidence related to any investigation, prosecution or incarceration" of Epstein.
- Bondi would then have to "release and publish" the records "on a publicly available website" within 30 days of the GENIUS Act being signed into law.
- Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) also said on social media he plans to introduce a resolution demanding the Trump administration release the Epstein files.
Between the lines: Neither Khanna's amendment nor Veasey's resolution is likely to make it to the House floor, much less pass. But both lawmakers hope to at least embarrass the GOP in the process.
- The Rules Committee is comprised of nine Republicans and four Democrats, and usually takes its cues from leadership.
- Some Republicans on the panel may be placed in a difficult position of having to side with either Trump or the MAGA base if forced to vote on whether Khanna's amendment can be added to the bill.
- Veasey will also be able to highlight whether or not his resolution obtains any Republican co-sponsors.
Catch up quick: The Epstein files have become a flashpoint for the Trump administration in recent days after the DOJ concluded the disgraced financier had no "client list" and died by suicide, not murder.
- Epstein's 2019 death while in jail has been the subject of prolific conspiracy theories, with some speculating he was blackmailing powerful figures and was murdered as a result.
- The DOJ's findings have touched off backlash from both the right and from Democrats, with the latter group using the incident as an opportunity to highlight Trump's past association with Epstein.
- Veasey and a spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
