Massie secures signatures to force vote on second Epstein files petition

This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) announced he received enough signatures from lawmakers to force a vote on his discharge petition related to files of disgraced financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. “This morning we reached the required 218 signatures on my discharge petition for Epstein Files Transparency Act II,” Massie wrote on social media. Democrats Adam Smith (Wash.) and John Garamendi (Calif.) were the final signatories, bringing it to 218. The lawmaker said he was working closely with Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N. M.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to “get this to the floor for a vote soon.” Khanna — the original co-sponsor of the first Epstein files legislation — said earlier in September the new “Epstein 2.0 Act” would “allow state attorney generals to prosecute the pedophiles who abused and trafficked young girls.” Massie similarly stated last week that this new act was intended to help survivors get “their own records” and enable state attorneys general to prosecute crimes related to the Epstein files. He added that the new legislation would also allow the Justice Department (DOJ) to be taken “to court for keeping critical files hidden.” The initial Epstein Files Transparency Act forced the DOJ to release millions of files related to Epstein that implicated notable public figures. But survivors and other backers called for greater transparency and additional prosecutions for Epstein’s co-conspirators. Survivors also warned of the need for further redactions in the remaining files as the initial files, released by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, revealed the identities of some previously unknown victims. Released files also contained redactions of potential co-conspirators, which drew the ire of House Democrats. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the ranking member on the Oversight Committee, slammed the Justice Department on Tuesday for continuing “to illegally withhold over 2.5 million pages of documents.” Garcia has pledged to hold public hearings for “uplifting survivors and asking tough questions of the powerful men who associated with Epstein, including Donald Trump.” He added that “our work is just getting started.” The issue previously divided the GOP and created a rift between Massie’s bloc and President Trump, who protested its release for months. Massie is racing the clock since he lost reelection in the lower chamber in the GOP primaries earlier this year to Trump-backed Rep.-elect Ed Gallerein (R-Ky.). He has aimed to complete much of his agenda in the House’s lame-duck session — including a failed bid to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.