Khanna, Massie Secure Signatures to Force Epstein Files Vote
Representatives Khanna and Massie secured 218 signatures to force a House vote on Epstein Files Transparency Act II.
Why it matters: This move revives a major congressional fight over transparency and DOJ document disclosure related to Jeffrey Epstein. It highlights ongoing tension between congressional oversight and legal confidentiality as the public demands accountability.
- 218 signatures collected on a discharge petition to compel a House vote on Epstein Files Transparency Act II, led by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie.
- Petition includes all House Democrats except two absent due to illness and four Republicans: Massie, Fitzpatrick, Norman, and Mace.
- The House remains in a seven-week recess until after the November midterm elections, postponing the vote.
- The original Epstein Files Transparency Act passed overwhelmingly in November 2025, requiring DOJ to release Epstein-related documents.
On September 17, 2026, Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) announced they secured the 218 signatures required to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, according to Axios. This bipartisan effort reflects growing congressional impatience over the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents.
The discharge petition to trigger this vote features signatures from nearly all House Democrats, except Reps. John Garamendi and Adam Smith, who were absent due to illness, alongside four Republicans: Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), and Nancy Mace (S.C.). Massie highlighted the rare cross-party support, stating, "Four Republicans have signed the Epstein Files II discharge petition!"
The renewed push follows the original Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed the House overwhelmingly 427-1 on November 18, 2025. That law required Attorney General Merrick Garland to release all Department of Justice files related to Epstein's investigation and networks. Nevertheless, key criticisms arose over redactions and the limited transparency of released documents.
Earlier in 2026, Rep. Khanna publicly identified six men whose names had been redacted without clear justification from the DOJ-released files, raising questions about the extent of withheld information. Khanna asserted, "Thomas Massie and I have defied history for a second time, securing 218 signatures on Epstein 2.0," underlining the importance of full disclosure to understand "how deep this corruption goes."
However, the House is currently in a seven-week recess imposed by Speaker Johnson until after the November midterms. This delays any vote on the Act II until the new session begins. The outcome and timing remain uncertain amid the electoral calendar.
By the numbers:
- 218 signatures — number needed and obtained on the discharge petition to force a House vote
- 7 weeks — length of the current House recess delaying the vote until post-November elections
- 427-1 — original House vote tally on the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025
Yes, but: The vote cannot occur until after the House returns from its current seven-week recess following the midterm elections, deferring any immediate release of additional documents.
What's next: The House session will resume post-November 2026 midterms, when Khanna and Massie will likely attempt to bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act II to a vote.