What Will Happen Now That the Epstein Files Petition Reached 218 Votes?

On November 12, 2025, a bipartisan group of more than 218 members of the United States House of Representatives signed a discharge petition forcing a floor vote on the proposed Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Spearheaded by Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), the measure demands the Department of Justice (DOJ) release full records connected to Epstein’s 2019 case, excluding victim-identifying information. The 218th signature was added by newly-sworn Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) on her first day in office.

The Epstein Files: What the Legislation Seeks

The Transparency Act, introduced by Khanna in July 2025, instructs the Attorney General to release all documents and records held by the DOJ relating to Epstein’s investigation and prosecution.

The release would happen within 30 days of enactment and would be redacted only to protect the victim’s privacy. Achieving 218 signatures triggers the special discharge process used to bypass leadership delays in the House.

The Road Ahead: Vote, Senate, and White House

With the discharge petition set, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has committed to scheduling a floor vote soon, though he’s reticent on timing. If the bill passes the House, it must then clear the United States Senate and receive the President’s signature to become law—both sizeable hurdles given current resistance in the Senate and from the White House.

The Epstein case remains a public-trust issue: a high-profile convicted sex trafficker died in custody in 2019, and many documents related to his operations, associates, and government handling remain classified or partially redacted.

The effort to force full disclosure highlights growing pressure on government institutions to be transparent in matters of national concern and criminal justice.

Why This Epstein Files Petition Matters Politically

The discharge petition isn’t just a procedural tool—it’s becoming a political flashpoint. With the 2024 election still influencing congressional dynamics, both parties are trying to avoid appearing soft on issues linked to Jeffrey Epstein, especially given public frustration over years of sealed documents, redactions, and half-answers.

Republicans pushing the petition argue that Democrats are intentionally slow-walking the process to protect powerful allies, while Democrats accuse GOP lawmakers of weaponizing the case to score political points heading into the next election cycle.

As a result, the petition is functioning less like a bipartisan demand for transparency and more like a litmus test for where lawmakers stand on government secrecy—and how they want to be seen by voters.

You might also want to read: The FBI’s Jeffrey Epstein Prison Video Had Nearly 3 Minutes Cut Out