Massie: GOP Risks Majority If Epstein Vote Is Blocked
- Admin
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 31
Tensions are rising within the Republican Party over a push to release additional federal files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) warned Sunday that blocking the proposed vote in the U.S. House could turn into a political liability for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has criticized the legislation which aims to make more Epstein case documents public as “reckless,” saying it fails to sufficiently protect victims of Epstein’s crimes.
In a Sunday interview on NBC News, Johnson defended his refusal to move the bill forward, emphasizing the need to shield innocent individuals named in the documents.
“We insist on the release of credible information,” Johnson said. “But we’re also insisting upon the protection of innocent victims. The current discharge petition is reckless in how it's drafted.”
The bill was introduced by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who swiftly responded to Johnson’s criticism, accusing Republican leadership of creating excuses to avoid transparency.
Massie defended the bill on NBC’s Meet the Press, calling Johnson’s concerns a “straw man argument.”
“Ro and I crafted this carefully. Victims’ names would be redacted, and no illegal content like child pornography would be released,” Massie stated.
He expressed frustration that the House began its August recess early, effectively avoiding the vote.
“Why isn’t Mike Johnson allowing this vote? Why send us home early?” Massie asked during an ABC News interview.
He warned that failing to act could cost the GOP its majority in Congress:
“If we don’t vote on this and go into the midterms with Republicans breaking their promises, we’ll lose the majority.”
The Epstein case remains politically volatile. President Trump, once a known associate of Epstein, recently brushed off questions about their relationship, stating, “I have nothing to do with the guy.”
Trump has also faced backlash for the Justice Department’s reversal on earlier promises to release more Epstein-related records.
When asked if Trump might grant clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, Massie responded:
“She doesn’t deserve that. It’s hard to believe she and Epstein acted alone. We need to know who else was involved through documents, bank records, and sealed plea deals.”
Recent reports indicate that Maxwell was granted limited immunity by the Justice Department to provide testimony in the case. That immunity ensures her statements can’t be used against her in future prosecutions a move drawing both attention and criticism.
The bill has garnered bipartisan backing, with prominent Democrats like Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) supporting its passage. Their support reflects a rare moment of alignment across the aisle on an issue fraught with legal, ethical, and political implications.
Pressure is expected to mount during the August recess, as public demand for transparency in the Epstein case continues to grow especially among the MAGA-aligned Republican base. Massie believes the movement for a vote will only gain strength in the coming weeks.
Speaker Johnson, however, remains non-committal. When asked about a potential pardon for Maxwell, he said:
“That’s not my lane. It’s ultimately a decision for the president.”
With political stakes rising, the Epstein files controversy could become a defining issue in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.
Comments