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Wednesday, Jul 16, 2025
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House GOP Blocks Second Democratic Bid to Release Epstein Documents
Republicans reject motion to compel DOJ to publish Jeffrey Epstein case files amid MAGA backlash
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted 211–210 against advancing a procedural motion brought by Democrats to force the Justice Department to make Jeffrey Epstein-related documents public within 30 days.
The motion, offered by Rep. Ro Khanna (D‑Calif.), sought to override the GOP legislative agenda and mandate online release of DOJ materials.
This marks the second action this week in which Democrats forced Republicans to take a clear stance on the Epstein files, placing GOP lawmakers at the centre of a political clash—between defending President Trump and appeasing a MAGA base increasingly critical of the administration’s handling of the issue.
The procedural vote tracked strictly along party lines, with all present Democrats supporting the motion and all Republicans opposing it.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R‑S.C.) was the lone GOP holdout, expressing his belief in transparency and in "putting things on the table."
Republican officials dismissed the effort as a partisan manoeuvre.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R‑Tenn.) told Axios the motion was "just politics," and not genuinely about child protection.
Congressman Michael Cloud (R‑Texas) characterised such procedural tactics as part of routine partisan strategy.
Democratic leaders, including Rep. Jim McGovern (D‑Mass.), described the move as part of a broader push for transparency.
McGovern blamed Republicans for "trafficking in conspiracy theories" and accused them of choosing loyalty to Trump over constituents’ demands.
Despite the vote’s failure, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑La.) stated in a separate interview that "we should put everything out there and let the people decide it," and suggested that Attorney General Pam Bondi should explain the DOJ’s rationale directly to the public.
Democrats have indicated that this will not be their final attempt, with Rep. McGovern warning that the measure could re-emerge.
Rep. Khanna has also pledged to reintroduce the amendment in future floor votes.
The motion, offered by Rep. Ro Khanna (D‑Calif.), sought to override the GOP legislative agenda and mandate online release of DOJ materials.
This marks the second action this week in which Democrats forced Republicans to take a clear stance on the Epstein files, placing GOP lawmakers at the centre of a political clash—between defending President Trump and appeasing a MAGA base increasingly critical of the administration’s handling of the issue.
The procedural vote tracked strictly along party lines, with all present Democrats supporting the motion and all Republicans opposing it.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R‑S.C.) was the lone GOP holdout, expressing his belief in transparency and in "putting things on the table."
Republican officials dismissed the effort as a partisan manoeuvre.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R‑Tenn.) told Axios the motion was "just politics," and not genuinely about child protection.
Congressman Michael Cloud (R‑Texas) characterised such procedural tactics as part of routine partisan strategy.
Democratic leaders, including Rep. Jim McGovern (D‑Mass.), described the move as part of a broader push for transparency.
McGovern blamed Republicans for "trafficking in conspiracy theories" and accused them of choosing loyalty to Trump over constituents’ demands.
Despite the vote’s failure, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑La.) stated in a separate interview that "we should put everything out there and let the people decide it," and suggested that Attorney General Pam Bondi should explain the DOJ’s rationale directly to the public.
Democrats have indicated that this will not be their final attempt, with Rep. McGovern warning that the measure could re-emerge.
Rep. Khanna has also pledged to reintroduce the amendment in future floor votes.
