Johnson’s Phony, Nonbinding Resolution Gives Republicans Cover While Doing Nothing to Release the Epstein Files
Washington, D.C. — On Thursday evening, the House Rules Committee, under the direction of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), introduced a nonbinding Epstein files resolution designed to help House Republicans look like they’re doing something without actually releasing the files. Meanwhile, Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna’s (D-CA) Epstein Files Transparency Act, continues to receive critical support from Republicans and Democrats. During this drama, President Trump directed Attorney General Bondi to try to selectively release a limited category of the 300+ gigabytes of data and evidence that the government has said it has on Jeffrey Epstein and also threatened to sue the Wall Street Journal over a blockbuster story revealing that the president had allegedly sent and signed a bawdy birthday card which calls Epstein Trump’s pal and says “we have certain things in common, Jeffrey” and “may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Demand Progress is leading a campaign calling on Americans to demand that their representatives support a petition that would force a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The following is a statement from Demand Progress Executive Director Sean Vitka:
“Speaker Johnson introduced a phony, nonbinding Epstein resolution because he knows the dam is breaking. More Republicans are signing on to Reps. Massie and Khanna’s discharge petition for their binding legislation by the hour, President Trump is almost visibly flop-sweating as he tries to change the subject and poll after poll shows that most Americans think the government is engaging in a serious coverup. Johnson’s resolution doesn’t carry the force of law and will only succeed at making House Republicans look like they are addressing the Epstein crisis while still keeping the files under wraps. The only way for Congress to advance the clear demands of the American people is to support the Massie-Khanna effort, which would actually release the files in a thoughtful and responsible manner and let us see for ourselves what the government is hiding.”
Demand Progress Special Advisor Kate Oh is available to answer questions about the different Epstein resolutions and explain why Speaker Johnson’s resolution won’t do anything to release the Epstein files and, in fact, may be even worse than doing nothing. If you wish to speak to her, please email [email protected] or call (202) 642-6001.