House Grinds to Halt Amid GOP Infighting Over Epstein Vote
The House of Representatives is facing significant disruption and has been forced to halt votes on multiple bills due to an escalating dispute over the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The House Rules Committee, a critical component for moving legislation forward, has been brought to a standstill as Republicans and Democrats clash over the issue.
Speaker Johnson Delays Vote, Citing Need for "Space"
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced on Monday, July 21, that there would be no House vote on a resolution concerning the release of Epstein files before Congress's August recess. Johnson stated that the Trump administration needs "space" to address the situation and expressed his agreement with President Trump's current approach.
DOJ Review, Trump's Order, and the Quest for Transparency
The White House has been grappling with the fallout from a Justice Department review concluding that Epstein had no "client list" and died by suicide. Responding to mounting pressure, particularly from conservative supporters, President Trump directed the Justice Department to produce "any and all pertinent grand jury testimony, subject to court approval." On Friday, July 18, the Justice Department formally requested a federal judge to unseal these transcripts.
Republican Resolution vs. Bipartisan Push for Release
Last week, House Republicans introduced a non-binding resolution calling for the release of Epstein files. Democrats, including Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), have dismissed the resolution as a symbolic gesture lacking legal authority. Speaker Johnson has not committed to bringing the resolution to a floor vote, leaving its future uncertain.
In contrast, a bipartisan effort led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) seeks to force a vote on a measure that would mandate the Justice Department to release Epstein-related files within 30 days. Democrats have repeatedly attempted to force votes on this measure through procedural tactics, which Republicans have blocked.
GOP Faces Internal Divisions Over Epstein Files
Republicans are grappling with internal pressure, with some members, including Reps. Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene, demanding full transparency and voicing dissatisfaction with the administration's handling of the files. A segment of GOP members is urging Speaker Johnson to allow a vote on the Massie-Khanna resolution, further highlighting the divide within the party.
DOJ Fires Prosecutor Linked to Epstein Case
In a related development, Maurene Comey, a prosecutor involved in the federal cases against Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jeffrey Epstein, was terminated by the Justice Department. Comey is the daughter of former FBI director James Comey.
Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Letter
President Trump has initiated a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its parent company over a story that published a letter he allegedly wrote to Epstein in 2003. Trump has vehemently denied writing the letter, calling it "fake."
Key Dates and Events in the Epstein Files Controversy
Several key events have marked the timeline of the Epstein files controversy:
- July 15, 2025: House Rules Committee Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment (introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna) to a cryptocurrency bill that would have forced the DOJ to release full Epstein files within 30 days.
- July 16, 2025: A procedural vote in the House to trigger debate on releasing Epstein documents failed narrowly (211-210), with all opposing votes coming from Republicans.
- July 17, 2025: House Republicans on the Rules Committee voted down a Democratic amendment and instead unveiled their own non-binding resolution on Epstein files.
July 18, 2025: A Day of High Drama
July 18 was a pivotal day in the unfolding saga:
- The Wall Street Journal published a letter allegedly written by Trump to Epstein, prompting Trump to deny authorship and file a defamation lawsuit.
- President Trump ordered the Justice Department to produce "any and all pertinent grand jury testimony."
- The Justice Department formally asked a federal judge to unseal grand jury transcripts related to the Epstein case.
July 21, 2025: Stalemate in the House
On July 21:
- House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that there would be no vote on an Epstein resolution before the August recess.
- The House Rules Committee reached a standstill, and Republicans opted to recess the meeting, preventing further votes this week.
