A coalition of lawmakers, including Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California, is working to compel the U.S. Department of Justice to release all files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Massie expressed optimism about the bill's prospects, suggesting that over 100 Republicans in the House may support the initiative, despite opposition from former President Donald Trump.

The mechanism for this legislative effort is a discharge petition, which allows a vote on a bill even if it is not introduced by House leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson has previously characterized the petition as unnecessary due to an ongoing investigation by the House Oversight Committee, which has already released thousands of documents related to Epstein.

The urgency for a vote has increased following the release of new emails connected to Epstein. Massie indicated that the outcome of this vote could have lasting implications for Republican lawmakers, suggesting that they may be held accountable for their decisions in the future.

Khanna noted that he anticipates around 40 Republican votes in favor of releasing the files, criticizing Trump for attempting to influence Republican support. He expressed concern that Trump's actions could hinder the release of the files, particularly in light of a new investigation into Epstein's connections to prominent figures in the Democratic Party, led by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.

The investigation has raised concerns among some lawmakers that it may be used to justify withholding the Epstein files. Khanna emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, regardless of political affiliation, while Massie called for Senate Majority Leader John Thune to support the bill in the Senate.

Despite the potential for bipartisan support, Johnson has downplayed the significance of the House vote, framing it as a political maneuver by Democrats. A senior White House official indicated that Trump was informed about the expedited vote and acknowledged its likelihood. The future of the bill remains uncertain as it moves to the Senate.