Johnson Cuts Short House Session to Avoid Vote on Releasing Epstein Files
He made the move to deny Democrats the chance to try to force procedural votes on measures that would call on the Justice Department to make the information public. It reflected how deep divisions among Republicans on the matter have now paralyzed the House, as Republicans seek to avoid a politically perilous vote on a matter that is confounding President Trump and roiling their MAGA base.
'We're done being lectured on transparency,' Mr. Johnson said at a news conference, where the typically unflappable speaker appeared frustrated.
He complained about 'endless efforts to politicize the Epstein investigation' and added: 'We're not going to play political games with this,' as he wrapped up his final news conference before September.
Republicans had planned votes this week on an immigration measure, a permitting bill and a rollback of some Biden-era regulations. But the House Rules Committee, the powerful panel controlled by the speaker that determines which legislation reaches the floor, has been upended by the Epstein issue, with Democrats repeatedly demanding votes on it.
Democrats on the committee vowed to force such a vote again this week as part of a routine measure to allow debate on unrelated legislation. But Republicans did not want to go on the record on the matter, for fear of retribution from angry supporters who are demanding the release of Epstein files.
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