House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he won’t block a floor vote on a resolution to release records tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s records if it garners enough signatures.
The petition could hit that threshold once Democratic Arizona Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva is sworn in, though Johnson has delayed her seating by tying it to Senate action on House-passed government funding bills. (RELATED: Democrat Special Election Winner Could Force House To Take Up Epstein Files Discharge Petition)
“If it reaches 218 signatures, it comes to the floor,” Johnson told Politico. He emphasized he would not block the bill, adding, “No, we’re not — that’s how it works: if you get the signatures, it goes to a vote.”
This is a big deal. I appreciate @SpeakerJohnson making it clear we will get a vote on @RepThomasMassie & my bill to release the Epstein files.
The advocacy of the survivors is working. Now let’s get Adelita Grijalva sworn in & Congress back to work.https://t.co/wyCPT95uSp
— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) October 21, 2025
The discharge petition, filed by Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna, would let lawmakers sidestep party leadership and force a floor vote once 218 members sign on.
Republican leaders have worked to keep the measure off the floor, arguing at a Tuesday press conference that the House Oversight Committee’s ongoing Epstein probe is already turning up new evidence.
“The bipartisan House Oversight Committee is already accomplishing what the discharge petition, that gambit, sought and much more,” Johnson said at the press conference. He added that all “credible information” uncovered in the panel’s months-long investigation would eventually be released to the public.
Mike Johnson: “The bipartisan House Oversight Committee is already accomplishing what the discharge petition — that gambit — sought, and much more. Unfortunately some Democrats and sadly even a couple Republicans have tried to make this a political issue.” pic.twitter.com/qlwwBQm9MW
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 21, 2025
The White House has warned that Republican lawmakers who sign the discharge petition would be seen as committing “a very hostile act,” according to CNN. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has repeatedly dismissed the furor over the late sex offender as a “hoax” orchestrated by Democrats for political gain.
Despite pressure from Trump and GOP leadership, three Republicans — Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, and Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert — have joined Massie in signing the petition.
Neither Massie nor Khanna responded to the Daily Caller’s request for comment before publication.
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