Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signed on to a bipartisan discharge petition that calls for the complete release of files related to the Epstein case, making her the highest-profile Democrat to sign on to the measure.
“The crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and his enablers shattered countless lives and exposed a vast system of exploitation and violence against women and girls,” Pelosi said in a statement to NOTUS. “I am proud to join as a co-sponsor of H.Res.581, the Epstein Files Transparency Act — a vital step toward truth and accountability in the face of unspeakable abuse. With this resolution, we declare unequivocally that violence against women will not be ignored.”
Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are leading the discharge petition, which would call for a vote for the release of documents by the U.S. attorney general within 30 days of the measure passing. There are 11 Republicans and, with Pelosi, nine Democrats who signed on to the legislation related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
But it won’t get a vote, at least anytime soon.
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On Monday, conservatives said they would not advance any rule — needed for legislation to pass along party lines in the House — due to concern that Democrats would force a string of tough Epstein-related votes.
In response, House Speaker Mike Johnson cut the week short. The discharge petition would force a vote on Thursday, but Congress will already be on recess.
Johnson told reporters Tuesday he wanted transparency when it comes to the Epstein files and blamed Democrats for using this issue against Republicans.
“I believe in maximum transparency,” Johnson said. “We also understand another part of that duty is we have to protect innocent victims. … There are innocent victims of those unspeakable sex crimes. Some of them were minors, some of them were not.”
“What we refuse to do is participate in another one of the Democrats’ political games,” Johnson added.
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