Bipartisan Push in Congress Confronts White House and Party Leadership Over Secrecy
A bipartisan coalition in Congress, led by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (CA) and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (KY), is pushing to force a vote on the release of all federal files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Their effort gained powerful momentum this week, as a group of Epstein’s survivors traveled to Capitol Hill, tearfully sharing their stories and directly challenging President Donald Trump’s assertion that the case is a “hoax.”
The survivors, including Chauntae Davis, Jena-Lisa Jones, and Haley Robson, made a public plea for transparency, demanding a House vote on the legislation, which would compel the release of the FBI’s files on Epstein. Jena-Lisa Jones recounted being assaulted at just 14, feeling no one would believe her given Epstein’s wealth and powerful connections. Haley Robson, a registered Republican, emotionally addressed President Trump, stating, “This is not a hoax. We are real human beings. This is real trauma.”
READ: New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker Says Trump ‘Lying’ About Epstein Files, Demands Bipartisan Action
The push for a vote comes as some members of Congress, including top Trump allies like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert have joined the effort, defying the White House and their own party leadership.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, remains adamantly opposed, citing victim privacy concerns. In an interview with ABC News’ Jay O’Brien, Speaker Johnson said the survivors had been “misled” and that his office would “follow the truth wherever it leads,” but many victims feel it is not enough.
The bipartisan coalition is using a discharge petition, a rarely successful legislative maneuver that forces a bill to the House floor for a vote if it gathers 218 signatures from members.
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In an interview Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week,” Rep. Ro Khanna stated that the effort has already secured 216 signatures and is on track to get the remaining two needed by the end of the month.
Rep. Massie directly challenged Speaker Johnson’s opposition, noting that the survivors themselves support the legislation. “They haven’t been misled,” Massie said. “When we asked the survivors… they all said yes.”
The political pressure extends beyond the House. Senate Republican leader John Thune has indicated he would block the legislation in the Senate if it passes the House. Both Khanna and Massie expressed confidence in the “This Week” interview that public pressure will force the Senate to act.
When asked by George Stephanopoulos why President Trump is resisting the release of the files, Rep. Massie suggested it was to avoid embarrassment for politically connected billionaires and donors from both parties, as well as to cover up potential intelligence ties.
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He questioned why the president would have been an informant to what he now calls a “hoax.” Rep. Khanna dismissed the idea of scoring political points, framing the issue as a moral imperative to stand with survivors and protect children. He expressed disappointment that the president has taken the bipartisan effort as a “hostile act” rather than an opportunity to be a leader for change.
The survivors’ direct appeals and the growing bipartisan support for the release of the files have elevated the issue, turning a legislative maneuver into a powerful moral statement against the abuse of power.
The outcome of the discharge petition is poised to be a pivotal moment for both political parties and for the survivors seeking closure and accountability.
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