In a move that has garnered both bipartisan support and widespread public interest, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is spearheading an initiative to bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) to a vote in the House of Representatives. The Kentucky congressman took to social media on July 15, 2025, to announce a discharge petition for the EFTA, a legislative tool that, if supported by 218 members, could circumvent House leadership and prompt a direct floor vote.
The EFTA, co-authored by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), seeks to mandate the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all unclassified materials related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, including FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office records. Massie's announcement on Twitter emphasized the need for transparency and justice, noting that the American public was promised both. The legislation would require the DOJ to provide these documents in a fully searchable and downloadable format, explicitly barring redactions for reasons such as embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, as reported by OANN.
The bill has attracted support from several House Republicans, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Eric Burlison (R-MO), and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ). Greene echoed Massie's sentiments on social media, vowing not to protect "pedophiles or the elites and their circles."
The urgency for transparency has been fueled by recent tensions within the Trump administration, with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino reportedly clashing with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of Epstein-related documents. This conflict has even led to speculation about Bongino's potential resignation. Adding to the chorus for openness, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stated that the public deserves more insight into the matter.
Jeffrey Epstein's death in 2019 while in federal custody and awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges has been a source of controversy and speculation, with many questioning the official ruling of suicide. The public's call for the release of Epstein-related files is driven by a desire to understand the full extent of his alleged criminal network and the potential involvement of powerful figures.
Despite the bipartisan and public momentum for the EFTA, President Donald Trump dismissed the initiative in a Truth Social post, branding it the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax" and accusing Democrats of using it as a distraction. Trump's statement has sparked further debate about the administration's stance on transparency.
If enacted, the EFTA would compel the DOJ to disclose all pertinent records within 30 days, providing the public with long-awaited answers about the Epstein saga.
