House Moves to Vote on Release of Epstein Case Files

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Adelita Grijalva will be sworn in as the newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, triggering lawmakers’ efforts to force a vote on a bill aimed at releasing the Jeffrey Epstein case files.

Grijalva’s swearing-in will mark her as the 218th Congress member needed to complete a discharge petition to compel a floor vote on this controversial legislation. The House has faced a prolonged government shutdown, but lawmakers are expected to vote on measures to reopen it soon.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, and Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, have been leading the push for the petition. They require 218 signatures to advance the vote, and Grijalva’s signature will provide the decisive count. Historically, discharge petitions are difficult to succeed, but this one has garnered significant bipartisan interest.

Once Grijalva adds her name to the discharge petition, there will be a seven-day period known as the “ripening” stage. During this time, House Speaker Mike Johnson will need to schedule a vote, which he indicated he would do if the petition reaches the required signatures.

However, the path to passing the bill remains rocky. Even if the House approves the measure, it would then require approval from the GOP-led Senate and the signature of President Donald Trump, who has publicly opposed the effort.

Grijalva expressed concern over the delays in her swearing-in, suggesting they have denied representation to her constituents while stating, “I absolutely believe there is a connection.” She reiterated her commitment to supporting the release of the Epstein files and said it was a promise made during her campaign.

Meanwhile, Speaker Johnson has indicated he views the initiative as a “moot point” due to an existing investigation by the House Oversight Committee into the Epstein case, which has already been releasing related documents.

Lawmakers on both sides acknowledge that the ongoing discussions around the Epstein files reflect a significant political challenge for Republican leadership, which could lead to further ramifications within the party. Experts believe that the outcome could reveal deeper divisions and hint at potential implications for both parties if damaging information surfaces against key political figures.