Petition To Release Epstein Files Crosses Key Congressional Threshold
The discharge petition seeking to release the Epstein files has officially passed the crucial threshold of 218 signatures, paving the way for a possible floor vote.
The final signature came as Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva — who succeeded her late father, longtime Rep. Raul Grijalva — was sworn in as a new member of the House, several weeks after winning her special election. (RELATED: Winner of Democratic special election could force House to accept Epstein records discharge petition)
Grijalva concluded his speech after his swearing-in by promising to sign the petition immediately, saying, “justice cannot wait another day.”
“That’s why I will sign the release petition to release the Epstein files right now” – Rep. Grijalva pic.twitter.com/OGtUaYxOj5
-Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 12, 2025
House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed Grijalva’s inauguration, tying it to Senate inaction on government funding bills during the shutdown. He argued that the House’s extended recess prevented him from seating her, while several Democrats accused him of intentionally postponing his oath of office in order to delay a vote on the release of the Epstein files.
On July 15, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California introduced a resolution on July 15 – the “Epstein Files Transparency Act” – co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California and seeking to refer a bill to force the full public disclosure of all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein to the House Rules Committee. Massie then filed a petition on September 2 to remove her from the committee, according to the Clerk of the House of Representatives’ website.
As of publication, Massie is one of four House Republicans who have signed the petition, compared to 214 House Democrats. Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene joined Massie in signing the petition that has been stalled in recent weeks because nearly all GOP lawmakers have refused to sign it. (RELATED: Republicans block Epstein case discharge petition)
And she has now signed the release petition, concluding her speech with: “Justice cannot wait another day.” https://t.co/XsOlD1dCdf
– Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) November 12, 2025
Once a petition reaches the required 218 signatures, it begins a process that can ultimately bring the measure to the House for a vote. However, a brief waiting period must pass before this can occur. After seven legislative days, any lawmaker who signed the petition can formally request that the measure be considered. At this point, the Speaker is required to schedule the vote within a specified time frame, paving the way for debate and, potentially, final adoption.
Johnson said Oct. 21 that he would not block a floor vote on a resolution to release the documents if it received the necessary number of signatures. (RELATED: Johnson Vows Not to Block Floor Vote on Epstein Tapings)
Under the proposal, 30 days after the law takes effect, the Attorney General would be required to make all unclassified Department of Justice (DOJ) documents, including those from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, available to the public in a searchable and downloadable manner, with certain exceptions permitted.
We have just released ALL DOJ subpoenaed documents regarding Jeffrey Epstein.
📁 Access it here: https://t.co/oGY6BYcAcO
– Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) September 2, 2025
The resolution allows Bondi to withhold or delete portions of records containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), cases of rape, physical abuse or death, as well as any personally identifying information of alleged victims. It also allows for the removal of information that could compromise ongoing federal investigations or prosecutions, or that concerns national defense or foreign policy matters.
On September 2, the House Oversight Committee released thousands of subpoena records relating to Jeffrey Epstein, obtained through the Department of Justice. The committee confirmed on August 22 that it had received the documents, totaling more than 33,000 pages.
Editor’s note: Article updated to clarify legislative processes.
