A rare discharge petition reveals GOP split over releasing Justice Department files and protecting survivors.
Rep. Thomas Massie’s Epstein discharge petition forces a House vote on DOJ files related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case, prompting GOP leaders to warn that signing could jeopardize victim privacy and duplicate ongoing oversight efforts. With only Massie and Jim McGovern signed by Tuesday afternoon, the petition highlights a stark choice: mandate full transparency or rely on committee releases with redactions.
Background: Massie Files Discharge Petition
On September 2, 2025, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) placed H.Res. 581 on the House clerk’s discharge petition calendar. A discharge petition requires 218 signatures to bypass leadership and bring a bill to the floor. If successful, H.Res. 581 would compel the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related records within 30 days, subject to redactions protecting victim identities.
Early tallies showed only Massie and Democrat Jim McGovern had signed by Tuesday afternoon, underscoring both the tool’s rarity and the reluctance among many GOP members. Discharge petitions succeed less than 2% of the time, but they send a loud signal when rank-and-file members feel leadership has stalled.
GOP Leadership Pushback
Mike Johnson’s Privacy-First Stance
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) argued existing House Oversight Committee efforts strike the right balance between transparency and victim protection. “We want to bring justice to every single person involved in the Epstein evils…but we also want to protect the innocent victims,” Johnson said. He cautioned that an ill-crafted petition could inadvertently expose survivors and interfere with ongoing investigations.
Massie’s “Placebo Resolution” Critique
Massie dismissed Johnson’s alternative resolution as a “placebo resolution,” asserting it offers political cover without compelling DOJ action. He insisted a binding floor vote is the only way to guarantee full disclosure of flight logs, interagency correspondence, and custodial records long sought by survivors and advocates.
House Oversight Committee’s Document Release
The 33,000+ Page Dump
Also on September 2, the Oversight Committee released over 33,000 pages of Epstein-related documents obtained from DOJ subpoenas. The cache includes court filings, flight logs from Epstein’s private jet, Bureau of Prisons communications, and customs and border records. Only about 3% of the pages contained new material; Oversight Democrats noted 97% were already public.
Subpoenas to DOJ, Estate, and Maxwell
Chairman James Comer (R-KY) issued subpoenas to DOJ, Epstein’s estate, and Ghislaine Maxwell seeking additional records and testimony. The committee also requested Treasury suspicious activity reports to trace financial networks. Witness testimony from survivors emphasized systemic failures and the need for unredacted client lists.
What’s at Stake
Balancing Disclosure and Victim Privacy
The core tension pits the public’s right to know against survivors’ right to privacy. Leadership warns that raw data dumps can retraumatize victims; backers argue phased, redacted releases with independent review can satisfy both goals.
Potential Revelations and Redactions
A successful petition might unveil new communications between DOJ components, previously sealed flight logs, and interagency memos. Strict redactions, a neutral special master, and survivor support services are key safeguards proponents endorse.
The Road Ahead
Signature Threshold and Odds
With two signatures on day one and roughly 134 by Wednesday, the petition still needs 84 more to reach 218. Success would require sustained bipartisan momentum or a strategic shift from GOP leadership—an uphill climb given historical patterns.
Call to Action for Readers
Contact your representative to express support for a responsible release of Epstein records. Encourage policymakers to mandate transparency with firm privacy protections for survivors.
The Epstein discharge petition forces Congress to choose between symbolic committee releases and a binding floor vote that could compel full disclosure of Justice Department files. GOP leaders caution against overreach; backers insist it’s the only path to justice. If you believe in both transparency and survivor dignity, urge your representative to sign H.Res. 581—or demand clear reasons why they refuse.
