Nearly a Dozen GOP Members Break from Johnson

Speaker Mike Johnson arriving for press conference

House Republicans have expressed frustration with House Speaker Mike Johnson after he adjourned the chamber early, postponing a crucial vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The unexpected delay has intensified calls from lawmakers for the swift release of Epstein-related documents, fueling tensions within the party over transparency. Despite adjourning the House, committee members raised concerns about being pressured to block document unsealing.

Rep. Chip Roy during fentanyl discussion

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) stated, “I think the administration will put more stuff out in August. … If they don’t, then I promise you, there’s going to be some more looking at this in the first week of September.”

Speaker Mike Johnson at press conference arrival

Johnson said, “House Republicans insist upon the release of all credible evidence and information related to Epstein in any way.” He added, “Our concern is that the Massie and Khanna discharge petition is reckless in the way that it is drafted and presented. It does not adequately include those protections.”

Speaker Mike Johnson speaking to constituents

Johnson stated, “No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents,” noting, “We’re done being lectured on transparency.”

Donald Trump at campaign rally

Top Republicans reportedly met before adjournment to address growing public and political pressure. Support for unsealing the Epstein files has grown, with nearly a dozen GOP co-sponsors.

James Comer speaking at Fancy Farm event

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said, “My committee has been wanting to do this for several weeks now. I told leadership last week if there’s ever an opportunity … to do anything realistically with the Epstein stuff, a majority of the committee’s gonna vote for it.”

Mike Johnson at Congressional Art Competition ceremony

Johnson noted that Republicans back transparency but insisted on protecting victims. He criticized the discharge petition for lacking adequate safeguards. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) stated, “People want the information. They don’t want things covered up.”

Donald Trump leading campaign rally

Leadership said the White House has offered insufficient support amid the crisis. Rules Committee Republicans met with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to raise concerns, and talks of pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell has added complexity to the situation.

Laura Mitchell covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.