Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has insisted that he will force a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files after the House’s August recess.
Massie said on ABC’s “This Week” that he is partnering with Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) on a discharge petition that would commandeer House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) power over the schedule.
Expressing a lack of satisfaction with the information released so far, Massie gave host Jonathan Karl details about what he wanted to see happen.
He said, “Well, I think we should get a lot more than just the book.
“Let’s get the financial records of the estate, follow the money, as they say up here. We should look at the plea-bargain, open that up, see what was the deal, what was the deal that was cut.”
Massie told Karl he thinks the powers that be are holding out on the public in regard to Epstein.
“I think there’s a lot more than just that letter,” he argued.
“That letter is also sort of representative of something that’s embarrassing but not illegal, another reason why these files may be sealed and stay sealed, but we’re going to force a vote on this when we get back from the August recess.
“Ro Khanna and I are using a procedure called a discharge petition whereby if we get 218 votes, and we’re well on our way to that, 218 signatures, then we can force the vote.”
Karl pointed out that Massie could not force a vote without some Republican support.
Massie said, “If every Democrat signs this, I have 12 Republican co-sponsors and I only need six to sign it.”
But Karl was somewhat doubtful that he could get that much support.
Such a move would take control of the House schedule away from Speaker Johnson and would set up a power struggle within the party.
It’s one thing to co-sponsor legislation, but it’s another to take the kind of forceful action that would be required.
Massie appeared to be counting on the public pressure that has been manifesting itself since Attorney General Pam Bondi signaled that the administration was trying to move beyond Epstein without releasing any more information.
He said, “I think the pressure will build over August recess.
“I don’t think it will dissipate like the speaker hopes that it will.
“If merely just half the people who have co-sponsored this legislation follow through and sign it, then it’s going to come to the floor for a vote.”
The refusal to release the entirety of the Epstein files has led to multiple Democrats emerging to demand that the information be made public.
It comes after Democrats have battled for years to keep the Epstein files hidden from the American people.
The Democrats are now hoping that the files may contain information linking Epstein to President Donald Trump.
However, the two had an apparent falling out at some point long before Epstein’s first arrest for sexual misconduct in 2006.
The president said on Monday that he ended his relationship with Epstein because he repeatedly “stole” people who had worked for Trump.
“I threw him out, and that was it,” Trump added.
“I’m glad I did, if you want to know the truth.”
As Trump previously noted, if there was anything incriminating about him in the Epstein files, the Democrats would have used it a long time ago.
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.