Today's News: House Ends Session Early to Avoid Votes on Epstein Files

A deep division within the Republican party, fueled by demands from the MAGA base for transparency and procedural tactics by Democrats, has paralyzed legislative action.

Terrence Dorsey

Jul 22, 2025

Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post

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Date: July 22, 2025
Topic: House of Representatives Legislative Halt Over Jeffrey Epstein File Release Controversy
Summary: The House of Representatives has cut short its legislative session and departed for summer recess a day early due to intense controversy surrounding the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files. A deep division within the Republican party, fueled by demands from the MAGA base for transparency and procedural tactics by Democrats, has paralyzed legislative action. Speaker Mike Johnson is attempting to manage the situation by calling for transparency while emphasizing victim protection and accusing political opponents of “gotcha politics.” Meanwhile, the Trump administration faces scrutiny over its handling of the files, even as the Justice Department indicates a willingness to interview Ghislaine Maxwell.

Sources

Key Points

The House of Representatives canceled its scheduled votes and adjourned a day early for its summer recess due to the contentious issue of releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related documents.
The House Rules Committee, which sets the agenda for legislation, was stalled because Democrats threatened to introduce numerous amendments demanding the release of Epstein files, forcing Republicans into politically difficult votes.
Speaker Mike Johnson has publicly called for the release of the remaining Epstein files, but also stressed the importance of protecting victims' identities during the process.
The Trump administration’s Justice Department initially declared the Epstein case closed. Later, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced plans to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, to determine if she has information about others involved in crimes.
There is significant internal division within the Republican party, with some conservative members and the MAGA base demanding full transparency, while leadership urges deference to the administration’s process.
The House Oversight Committee unanimously approved a motion to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell for a deposition.
Representative Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), along with Representative Ro Khanna (D-California), is pursuing a discharge petition to force a House-wide vote on a bill that would compel the Justice Department to release all unclassified Epstein-related records.

Unique Highlights

NBC News highlights Speaker Johnson’s “lengthy and unusual tirade” against Representative Thomas Massie, criticizing his motivation and timing for pushing the discharge petition, and Massie being spotted with a binder labeled “The Epstein Files: Phase 2 … DECLASSIFIED.”
Fox News notes that some House Republicans anonymously expressed a desire for the issue to dissipate and criticized Massie’s efforts as “self-promotion.” It also references a previous statement by Attorney General Pam Bondi about a “list on your desk” and quotes a White House spokesman touting Trump’s accomplishments without mentioning Epstein.
The Washington Post reports that House Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx indicated the panel might not meet again until “possibly” September, effectively delaying any further legislative action on the matter. It also quotes Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene calling the nonbinding resolution to release files “meritless” and lacking “teeth.”
The Wall Street Journal confirms the FBI’s finding that Epstein killed himself in jail and details the Justice Department’s firing of Maurene Comey, a prosecutor who worked on the Epstein and Maxwell cases. It also describes a controversial 2003 birthday album letter bearing Trump’s name for Epstein, which Trump denied writing, and Trump’s subsequent lawsuit against the Journal’s publisher.
The New York Times suggests that Speaker Johnson has “ceded the chamber’s independence” to please or avoid angering former President Trump, noting that other planned legislative actions on immigration, environmental rules, and Biden-era regulations were also put on hold due to the Epstein issue. It also includes a social media post from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioning the House’s early adjournment and a quote from a House Majority PAC spokeswoman.

Contrasting Details

Republican Unity vs. Division: Speaker Mike Johnson (NBC News, The New York Times) claimed House Republicans were united on the issue and “intellectually consistent.” However, Fox News, The Washington Post, and The New York Times extensively detail the deep divisions, “civil war,” and “rebellion from within their own ranks” among House Republicans, with frustrations stemming from both the Trump administration’s handling of the files and internal leadership.
Reason for House Stalling: Speaker Johnson (NBC News, The New York Times) attributed the legislative halt to Democratic “gotcha politics” and “political games” for forcing votes on the Epstein files. Conversely, Fox News, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal indicate that Republican leaders themselves chose to cancel Rules Committee meetings and cut short the session to avoid being forced into uncomfortable votes by Democrats on the Epstein amendments, suggesting a strategic retreat rather than solely a Democratic obstruction.
Trump’s Stance on Release: Fox News reports that President Trump called on a federal judge to release grand jury testimony in Epstein’s case and that some Republicans praised the administration’s handling. In contrast, The Washington Post states that Trump “declared his supporters should move on from the issue and attempted to change the subject” before the recent developments. The Wall Street Journal quotes Trump calling the Epstein case a “big hoax” and a “witch hunt,” and stating he was unaware of the Justice Department’s plans to interview Maxwell, despite his administration’s actions.

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