House Democrats keep forcing Republicans to vote again and again until the release of Epstein files
As the Republican-controlled House prepared to depart Washington for its summer break, Democrats unified behind a single aim: repeatedly forcing Republicans to publicly confront the Epstein controversy that’s stirred discord within the GOP. Throughout multiple committee hearings on Wednesday, Democrats proposed amendments concerning the release of government documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Regardless of the committee’s core focus—be it oversight or financial matters—Democrats pressed the matter.
This was part of a larger strategy by Democrats to spotlight a politically sensitive issue for Republicans, one where Donald Trump seems disconnected from parts of his base. In response to the disruption, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called off the final round of voting before the break after Democrats brought one organizing committee to a standstill with repeated Epstein-focused proposals. Lawmakers then returned to their districts, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., dubbing it “the Epstein recess.”
The wave of Democratic proposals had a breakthrough on Wednesday. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., introduced a motion in a House Oversight subcommittee compelling the Department of Justice to release files tied to Epstein. The motion passed.
A spokesperson later confirmed a subpoena will be issued, although no timeline was given. “Numerous members of this committee and this subcommittee have called for answers and transparency,” Lee said during the hearing. “So let’s do something about it.” Her proposal gained support from three Republicans, who joined five Democrats in approving it.
However, similar Democratic attempts in other panels did not find success. During a Financial Services Committee session, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., proposed that the Treasury Department be required to hand over Epstein-related financial transaction records. Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., declared the amendment irrelevant to the bill under consideration. When Tlaib challenged the ruling, Republicans voted to uphold Hill’s decision.
Over in the Education and the Workforce Committee, Democrats had prepared an amendment tied to a human trafficking detection bill that would have required the Department of Labor to disclose Epstein-related files. But the bill was withdrawn from the committee’s agenda before it could be debated, prompting Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., to question the move. “Is it because the majority did not want to vote on my amendment requiring the Department of Labor to release the Epstein files?” she asked. Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., responded by citing his authority to manage the committee’s schedule, but gave no further details.
Democratic efforts began the previous week in the Rules Committee, where Republicans repeatedly voted down measures that called for releasing Epstein records. Eventually, GOP leadership tried to ease tensions within their ranks by offering a symbolic resolution urging the release of select Epstein documents. However, Speaker Johnson has yet to bring that resolution to the House floor. Democrats had been planning to revive their efforts in the Rules Committee this week, but the panel adjourned without moving forward on any new bills—reportedly to avoid another round of Epstein-related votes. Without the Rules Committee advancing legislation—a requirement for any bill to reach the House floor—Thursday’s voting session was canceled, and lawmakers left Washington ahead of schedule.
Despite the recess, Democrats intended to keep the pressure on. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., had planned to submit an amendment at an Appropriations subcommittee meeting, requiring the Justice Department to report to Congress on its Epstein investigation. But the meeting—intended to move one of twelve must-pass funding bills—was postponed Wednesday night, after House votes were canceled.
Democrats haven’t limited their messaging to committee rooms. In recent press conferences, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has sharply criticized the GOP’s handling of the matter. “Why haven’t Republicans released the Epstein files to the American people?” he asked Wednesday. “It’s reasonable to conclude that Republicans are continuing to protect the lifestyles of the rich and shameless, even if that includes pedophiles.”
Republican lawmakers have pushed back, questioning why Democrats didn’t take similar actions during President Joe Biden’s term. “The Biden administration held the Epstein files for four years,” Johnson said. “Not a single one of these Democrats or anyone in Congress made any peep about that at all.” According to Johnson, “Democrats waited until President Trump was elected.” Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, died by suicide in jail in 2019, during Trump’s first term.
Note to our readers: This article relies on verified sources including NBC News covering the White House’s control over Jeffrey Epstein messaging; official congressional event pages from the House Financial Services Committee and House Education & Workforce Committee; a YouTube live congressional hearing; and the official House Rules document. All information has been cross-checked to ensure transparency and accuracy.
