Latest news with #HouseRulesCommittee
The Hill
38 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Hill
House panel tees up vote on Jeffrey Epstein resolution
The House Rules Committee late Thursday night advanced a resolution calling for — but not legally requiring — the DOJ to release of some information related to Jeffrey Epstein, as a number of Republicans express anger at the Trump administration's handling of the saga. The panel voted 9-4 along party lines to send the measure to the House floor, with Democrats objecting to the resolution being non-binding. It is unclear when leadership plans to stage a floor vote on the Epstein measure. House Rules Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) said that House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) would make that announcement. The measure reads: 'Providing for the public release of certain documents, records, and communications related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.' It directs the Attorney General to make public 'all credible' documents, communications, and metadata related to the investigations into and prosecutions against Epstein and his convicted former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell — providing considerable exceptions for information that could identify or depict victims, violate the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, or is 'demonstrably false or unauthenticated.' The measure is a House resolution, and not a bill — meaning it will not go to the Senate and does not have the legal weight to force the Trump administration to comply. Pressed on that by Democrats in the committee, Foxx did not directly answer, saying it is a 'sound, good-faith resolution' and noting that Democrats, when they offered an Epstein-related measure several days ago, also did so in the form of a resolution rather than a bill. Rules committee member Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) said if the information was not released, the panel would urge all relevant House committees to initiate an investigation into any obstruction, suppression, or delay in the release of the files. Ranking member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) dismissed the resolution as a 'cover vote' without teeth that the panel's members advanced because they are taking heat over their vote earlier in the week against a Democratic-led amendment calling for the release of Epstein-related documents. He offered an amendment that would tee up a more forceful bill from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to require the DOJ to disclose Epstein documents, which Republicans promptly dismissed. If and when the measure comes to the floor, the procedural rule resolution that typically tees up debate and a final vote on legislation will instead 'deem' the measure passed — meaning members would vote only once on the resolution. As the panel prepared to advance the resolution, President Trump — who for over a week has called the Epstein matter a 'hoax' and fumed at his prominent supporters objecting to a DOJ decision to not release any more information on the sex offender — relented by saying on his website Truth Social he would direct Attorney General Pam Bondi 'to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval.' The vote by the panel is the latest development in the Epstein saga, which has infiltrated Capitol Hill and fractured the Republican Party. The GOP is grappling with a push by the MAGA base to release the documents and an effort by Trump to end discussion on the issue. It also puts to bed a days-long saga that delayed action in the House on a package clawing back federal funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting. Republicans on the House Rules Committee huddled with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Scalise for nearly two hours on Thursday to discuss a path forward on the thorny matter that is the Epstein controversy. On Monday, Democrats on the House Rules Committee forced a vote on whether the full chamber should vote on an amendment compelling the release of the Epstein files. That effort failed 4-8 with only one Republican — Rep. Ralph Norman (S.C.) — voting in favor. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), another Republican on the panel, did not vote on the measure. Republicans on the panel who voted against the effort have since received blowback for their vote, in-part prompting Thursday night's vote. On Tuesday, Democrats made another attempt at forcing a vote on releasing the Epstein documents by urging the chamber to oppose a routine procedural vote which, if it failed, would have triggered a vote on publishing the files. All House Republicans voted together to defeat that effort.
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Republicans to tee up House vote on Epstein resolution
Republicans on the House Rules Committee, after negotiations with GOP leaders, will tee up a vote on a resolution calling for the release of information related to the late Jeffrey Epstein Thursday evening, two sources tell The Hill, as the conference grapples with GOP frustrations over the Trump administration's handling of the saga. The effort comes as a highly anticipated vote on legislation to claw back billions of dollars of federal funding stalls in the House amid the debate over the Epstein files. Lawmakers are staring down a Friday deadline to send President Trump the package, or else the Trump administration must release the funds. The plan, according to the sources, is for the House Rules Committee to advance a new resolution calling for some information related to Epstein to be released. The measure would be similar to the one introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the sources said, but with some differences. One source said it would have 'some teeth,' after reports surfaced that any legislation moved by the panel would be non-binding. It remains unclear when the resolution would receive a vote on the House floor, one of the sources said. Once it is advanced by the Rules Committee, it can be brought up in the chamber at a later date.
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Fight over Epstein files holds up Trump DOGE cuts bill
The fight over how the Trump administration has handled disclosures relating to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is holding up final approval of a bill to codify $9 billion in Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid. Republicans on the House Rules Committee huddled with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) for more than an hour Thursday afternoon as the group searched for a path forward on the Epstein saga, which has inundated Capitol Hill and fractured the GOP. The Senate approved the $9 billion rescissions package in the wee hours of Thursday morning, and the clock is ticking on the matter. If the measure is not codified by Friday, the White House must release the funds it requested to withhold. Because the Senate made changes to the package to remove a provision cutting funding for a global AIDS fund, the House must bring up the bill again through the House Rules Committee before it goes to the House floor. The discussion over what to do about the Epstein saga — and negotiations with Johnson and GOP leadership about a GOP-backed Epstein file release measure — is delaying that effort. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, said that the panel was originally supposed to meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday to consider the rescissions package, but that got pushed as the Republicans negotiated on how to handle the Epstein matter. A number of Republicans have called for the release of the documents related to Epstein as they air frustration with how the Trump administration has handled the matter. Additionally, GOP lawmakers on the Rules panel have taken immense heat from the MAGA base for shooting down a Democrat-led amendment in committee earlier this week demanding the disclosure of more information. Leaving the meeting, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), the only Republican on the panel to vote in favor of the Democratic amendment earlier this week, said the group was nearing a solution, but declined to disclose any details. 'It's a good plan,' Norman told reporters. 'It's getting very close.' Ahead of the gathering, two sources told The Hill that Johnson was considering backing a measure calling for the disclosure of files related to Epstein. The structure and language of the measure remains unclear, but one source said it would likely protect the names of victims and whistleblowers involved in the Epstein saga.
The Hill
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Speaker Johnson eyes GOP-led Epstein documents measure to quell outrage
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is discussing backing a measure in support of disclosing more information related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, two sources told The Hill. Johnson's consideration of the move comes as outrage over the Trump administration's handling of the matter roils the Republican Party. In the House, GOP members of the Rules Committee, in particular, have gotten immense public pushback for voting down a Democrat-led amendment demanding more information be released. Just one Republican, Rep. Ralph Norman (S.C.), voted in favor of the measure in committee. The final structure and details of the measure were not immediately clear, and Republicans will have to walk a careful line in how they craft it as they balance placating the party's base with avoiding the wrath of President Trump. 'The House Republicans are for transparency and they're looking for a way to say that,' Johnson said. 'I've been very clear, the members have been very clear. The House Rules Committee Republicans have been taking incoming and criticism because they voted to stop the Democrats' politicization of this, and they're trying to stick to their job and move the procedural rules to the floor so we can do our work and get the rescissions done for the American people. They are for transparency, just as we all are, and we are looking for ways to express that. That's all it is,' he added. The MAGA base has expressed fury over the administration's handling of the case, while Trump has fumed over public calls for more information, calling the Epstein matter a 'hoax' and suggesting Democrats altered the files. The measure, however, will likely spell out that the names of whistleblowers and victims in the case should be shielded, one source noted, a difference from the Democrat-led amendment, which calls for the full release of materials. Punchbowl News first reported Johnson discussing backing an Epstein-release measure. The GOP-led effort comes as Democrats keep forcing votes on releasing the Epstein files, which have forced Republicans into the difficult decision of risking Trump's wrath or shooting it down despite anger among their constituents. Aside from the vote on the Democrat-led amendment in the House Rules Committee this week, Democrats tried to stage a floor vote on a resolution to compel the release of the files through an obscure procedural gambit. Their effort failed. Also looming over the debate is a bipartisan push to demand the release of the documents. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are leading the measure — which several House Republicans have joined as co-sponsors — and they plan to start a discharge petition to force it to the floor if they gain support from at least 218 members. The Justice Department and FBI asserted in a memo last week that Epstein's death was a suicide and that he did not have a client list. Officials declined to release any more details, saying information under seal 'served only to protect victims and did not expose any additional third-parties to allegations of illegal wrongdoing.' Johnson made headlines earlier this week for notably breaking with Trump on the Epstein matter, saying that Attorney General Pam Bondi needs to 'explain' the decision to not put out more information 'It's a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it,' Johnson told conservative commentator Benny Johnson on Tuesday. The next day, Johnson said his comments were misinterpreted, and suggested there was no major difference between his position and Trump's, citing his statement that 'credible' information could be released. Trump on Wednesday, however, tore into those demanding more disclosures, calling those fixed on the case his 'PAST supporters' and asserting: 'I don't want their support anymore!' House GOP lawmakers — facing the competing pressures of Trump and an outraged voter base — have been at odds this week over whether the documents should be disclosed. Some House Republicans have said their offices are being inundated with constituent calls about the files, many of whom are frustrated by the Trump administration's handling of the matter.
Politico
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Politico
Looming Epstein vote has Republicans eager to leave Washington
Leaving early would spark intense anger from appropriators who are already livid over delays in government funding work ahead of the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline. GOP leaders have discussed changing next week's schedule, but senior Republican aides acknowledge it would not look good to leave for the traditional August recess in mid-July, with plenty more work to do. Democrats are expected to create more headaches for the GOP Thursday, by seeking to attach an Epstein-related amendment to the Trump administration's funding clawbacks package in the House Rules Committee. A similar effort failed earlier this week, but not before one GOP member of the panel broke ranks. Massie said in an interview he was confident the Epstein issue would remain ripe through the summer. He recalled how conservative hard-liners moved a decade ago to remove former Speaker John Boehner right before the August recess — and then Boehner resigned after members came back in September. 'They probably want to let the steam out, but this will build momentum over August,' Massie said. 'They can't sweep it under the rug.' The Epstein saga has been a subject of deep fascination for many Trump supporters, who see it as emblematic of a deeply corrupt cabal of political elites preying on vulnerable Americans. Trump, who associated with Epstein in the past and has denied any wrongdoing, discussed the controversy on the campaign trail and pledged to root out any coverup. But after the Justice Department essentially announced there's no there there, the pressure broke out into a full crisis this week. Some Republican lawmakers have reported an onslaught of calls from constituents. Others are calling for Epstein accomplices and others to testify before Congress. Some House Republicans have raised the matter in private floor conversations with party leaders, begging them to do something. The level of alarm exploded after Massie, a dissident Republican, unveiled his discharge effort with Khanna. It would tee up a floor vote on legislation giving Attorney General Pam Bondi 30 days to release a broad array of files related to Epstein, his onetime girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell and other associates. Notably, it would provide for the release of investigative files without regard for '[e]mbarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.' Under House rules, the measure becomes available for discharge signatures after seven legislative days.
