What to know before the House votes on the Epstein files
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
House Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol on Nov. 12. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The House seems poised to vote on a bill this week that would force the full release of the Epstein files.
The big picture: The Epstein probe has been at the center of the political discourse lately as newly released documents reveal more details on the relationship between President Trump and the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- There are no credible allegations of wrongdoing by Trump in the Epstein case.
State of play: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said last week that the House is expected to vote this week over the release of the files.
- That vote is expected to happen Tuesday.
- On Sunday night, Trump called for House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing the Epstein documents "because we have nothing to hide, and it's time to move on from this Democrat Hoax."
- On Monday, Trump doubled-down, saying he would sign a bill if it came to his desk. "Let the Senate look at it," Trump said.
- To pass, the bill would still require a Senate vote and Trump's signature. Trump previously blocked the full release of the files, though he recently called on the House to vote for the files to be unveiled.
Here's what to know ahead of the Epstein files vote.
Where are the Epstein files now?
The Epstein files, a series of documents, images and information related to the Department of Justice's criminal probe into Epstein.
- Trump controls the Justice Department and could release the documents without Congress' approval.
- Many of these Epstein files have been released by the DOJ and Congress.
Republicans and Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released batches of documents over the last few months.
- Democrats released a slew of files last week that included emails sent by Epstein that alleged Trump "knew about the girls."
- The GOP responded by dropping thousands of additional files, too.
Why is the House voting on the Epstein files?
Zoom in: Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) introduced a petition in July that would force a vote to require the DOJ to release all the files.
- Rep. Adelita Grijalva's (D-Ariz.) became the final signature needed for the petition after she was sworn into Congress after the end of the government shutdown.
- Many expected the House to wait until after Thanksgiving to set a vote on the files' release, but it was moved up to this week.
Will the Epstein files vote pass?
Several Republicans are expected to break rank and support the bill. Massie told ABC Sunday that "100 or more" Republicans might back the move.
- "I'm hoping to get a veto-proof majority on this legislation when it comes up for a vote," he said.
The intrigue: Trump allies Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) signed the discharge petition and seem likely to vote in favor of the bill.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who had a falling out with Trump over the weekend, similarly seemed inclined to vote for it.
What to expect next:
If the bill passes, it would move to the Senate. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has not committed to putting the bill on the floor, though Trump said the Senate could look at it.
- After that, the bill would require Trump's signature to become law.
- The process could take weeks, keeping the Epstein files discussion in the news throughout the holiday season.
Go deeper: Here are all the "Epstein files" that have been released — and which haven't
