Thomas Massie

Representative Thomas Massie’s latest effort to force the release of more Epstein files is gaining traction in the House of Representatives.

Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced a bill that would compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release more files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking. Lawmakers have demanded more transparency from the federal government over investigations into Epstein, with Massie last year leading an effort to secure the release of a trove of Epstein-related documents.

But he has been sharply critical of the DOJ’s approach to releasing the files. He has said the DOJ has not disclosed all documents and has accused the DOJ of making unnecessary redactions to the documents it has released. The new effort seeks to shed more light on additional documents.

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The Epstein files are court‑ordered DOJ releases of interview transcripts, emails, visitor logs, and investigative materials being published in batches under the law passed by Congress last year.

A discharge petition to force a vote on a new bill to facilitate the release of the Epstein files has growing support in Congress over recent days.

Newsweek reached out to Massie and the DOJ for comment via email.

What Is the Epstein Files Transparency Act II?

Massie announced the new legislation known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act II in July. The bill would give standing to state attorneys general, victims and members of Congress to challenge the DOJ for “failure to comply” with the earlier bill, according to his office.

Massie said in the statement that the DOJ has continued to “unlawfully withhold over 3 million Epstein files that should be released to the public.”

“In addition, the DOJ is unlawfully maintaining heavy redactions on the files it is releasing. State attorneys general and victims should have the right to sue the Attorney General of the United States to compel compliance with a transparency law President Trump signed,” he wrote.

The bill would create a private right of action for them to “sue the U.S. Attorney General for unlawfully withholding, redacting, delaying, concealing, removing, or failing to publish Epstein-related records.” It would also give victims the right to obtain unredacted records concerning themselves.

It would subject the DOJ and FBI officials to penalties for concealing, falsifying, withholding or misrepresenting files.

Who Are the Lawmakers Backing the Bill?

More than 100 members have signed onto a discharge petition to force a vote on the bill. Here is a look at the members who have signed on as of Friday morning.

The following members have also joined the underlying bill itself, introduced by Massie.

Ro Khanna (California Democrat)

Teresa Leger Fernandez (New Mexico Democrat)

Yassamin Ansari (Arizona Democrat)

Nancy Mace (South Carolina Republican)

Wesley Bell (Missouri Democrat)

Melanie Stansbury (New Mexico Democrat)

Al Green (Texas Democrat)

What Happens if the Epstein Petition Hits 218 Signatures?

If Massie’s petition hits 218 signatures, the House would be required to hold a vote on the bill.

Currently, the House makeup is 218-214, with one independent, meaning some Republicans would need to join the effort. So far, Mace has both cosponsored the bill and joined the discharge petition.

Massie told journalist Pablo Manríquez this week that the math is “exactly the same as it was a year ago.”

“We need four Republicans, myself and three others. We’ve already got Nancy Mace and myself. I think we’ll get two other Republicans,” he said, noting that nearly all Republicans voted for the original bill.

Massie has made the Epstein files a top priority over the past year. Only one Republican, Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana, voted against the bill to compel their release last November.

In comments on the House floor this week, Massie named 14 people he said he believes should be investigated over their alleged ties to Epstein. His remarks did not establish that any of the individuals committed a crime.

“The government continues to withhold over three million files,” Massie said. “That’s why we’ve introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, to bring the fight to the state courts, accountability to the Department of Justice and closure for survivors. We want perpetrators of these crimes to be investigated and prosecuted.”

Epstein Files Fight: A Timeline

2005: Palm Beach police opened investigation into allegations that Epstein sexually abused underage girls at his home.

July 2006: A state grand jury indicted Epstein on a count of soliciting prostitution, and the FBI began its investigation into the financier.

June 2008: Epstein pleaded guilty to two state charges and receives a 13-month sentence. The leniency of the sentence drew scrutiny from critics.

July 2009: Epstein was released from custody. But interest in the case continued over the coming years, as victims continued to challenge a controversial non‑prosecution agreement that allowed him to avoid federal prosecution.

November 2018: The Miami Herald published an investigative report into the Epstein investigations.

July 2019: New York prosecutors had launched their own investigation into Epstein and arrested him on sex trafficking charges. The DOJ said in 2020 the indictment alleged that he created a “vast network of underage victims in both New York and Florida whom he sexually abused and exploited.”

August 2019: Epstein died by suicide in a New York federal jail while awaiting trial on federal sex‑trafficking charges. His death intensified demands for transparency about his network and federal oversight failures.

July 2020: Ghislaine Maxwell, an Epstein associate, was charged with sex crimes for allegedly helping recruit Epstein’s victims.

December 2021: Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking.

2024: During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to make the Epstein documents public.

July 2025: Khanna and Massie introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

November 2025: Congress passed and Trump signed into law Massie’s bill. In the weeks leading up to the vote, the memoir of the late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre was published, bringing more scrutiny to the case.

December 2025: Weeks later, the DOJ began releasing the files, but faced scrutiny over their slow release and redactions. More files would continue to be released over the coming weeks and months.

July 2026: Massie introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act 2.

September 2026: More than 100 lawmakers sign Massie’s discharge petition to force a vote on the new bill. He says he needs four Republicans to reach the 218‑signature threshold.

Political Firestorm for Trump

The Epstein files have become a political sore spot for the Trump administration, with both Democrats and Republicans being critical of its approach. Over the past year, there have been prominent hearings related to the Epstein files that have intensified scrutiny toward the administration.

Only 26 percent of Americans approved of Trump’s handling of the investigations into Epstein, compared to 57 percent disapproving, according to a YouGov poll released earlier this year. Sixty-eight percent said they believed the government was covering up evidence it has about Epstein. The poll surveyed 1,124 adults from February 27 to March 2, 2026.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi left her position earlier this year as the department faces criticism over the Epstein files.

Trump’s proximity to Epstein has also been a point of scrutiny.

Trump has faced questions about his friendship with Epstein. The president has said he was unaware of Epstein’s activities and has denied any involvement. Trump also said he cut ties with Epstein and threw him out of his Mar-a-Lago Club upon learning about allegations made against Epstein. He has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.

What Happens Next

An increasing number of lawmakers have joined Massie’s petition, but if he does not garner more support from Republicans, the effort could stall out. It’s unclear whether more members of his party planned to sign onto the petition as of Friday morning. If Democrats retake the House after the midterms, this is an issue that they could continue to force next year.