House Republicans Block Democrat Push To Release Epstein Files

House Republicans blocked the Democrats’ move on Monday night that would have forced the Trump administration to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. 

The Democratic amendment to cryptocurrency legislation, first introduced by Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA), sought to allow Congress to vote on whether the files should be published. It was barred in a 5-7 vote, with all but one of the GOP members of the House Rules Committee voting against the amendment. 

“The question with Epstein is: Whose side are you on?” Khanna told Axios ahead of the vote. “Are you on the side of the rich and powerful, or are you on the side of the people?”

He reportedly vowed to introduce the measure “again and again and again.” 

Khanna’s amendment would have required Attorney General Pam Bondi to make all of the files about Epstein available on a “publicly accessible website,” and she would have to comply within 30 days of the procedure’s enactment. 

In a surprise twist, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) voted in favor of the proposed amendment. 

“The public’s been asking for it,” he said, according to Axios. “I think there are files. All of a sudden not to have files is a little strange. We’ll see how it plays out. … I think the president will do the right thing.”

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) abstained from the vote. 

Epstein was a convicted child rapist and sex trafficker who had ties to multiple celebrities, billionaires, and politicians. He died in his jail cell in 2019, allegedly having committed suicide, but much of the public remains unconvinced. 

In February, Pam Bondi stated in an interview with Fox News that the Epstein client list was on her desk, ready for review after being asked by Fox News’ John Roberts about a “list of Epstein’s clients.”

“It’s sitting on my desk right now to review,” she said in response to Roberts. “That’s been a directive by President Trump. I’m reviewing that.” 

Yet, on July 7, Bondi clarified that she meant that the Epstein files were ready for her review, not a client list. 

“I think most of us believe what’s appropriate will be released when it is time for the president to release it,” Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the chair of the Rules Committee, said.