House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) confirmed on Tuesday that he will not block a floor vote on a resolution seeking to force the release of files related to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein if the resolution reaches 218 signatures.
According to Politico, a discharge petition filed by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is expected to reach 218 signatures once Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is sworn in following the end of the current federal government shutdown. The outlet noted that a discharge petition allows members of the U.S. House of Representatives to bypass leadership and force a floor vote if the legislation receives enough signatures.
Johnson told Politico on Tuesday, “If it hits 218, it comes to the floor.” Asked whether he would attempt to block the vote on releasing the Epstein files requested in the discharge petition, the Republican lawmaker said, “No, we’re not — that’s how it works: If you get the signatures, it goes to a vote.”
In addition to Massie, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), and Rep. Nancy Mace (S.C.) have joined Democrats in signing the petition.
“This is a big deal. I appreciate @SpeakerJohnson making it clear we will get a vote on
@RepThomasMassie & my bill to release the Epstein files,” Khanna wrote in a statement on Tuesday. “The advocacy of the survivors is working. Now let’s get @AdelitaForAZ sworn in & Congress back to work.”
READ MORE: Videos: ‘Credible’ Epstein information should be released, Trump says
During a press conference on Tuesday, Johnson confirmed that the release of Epstein documents is “ongoing even as we speak.”
Addressing the discharge petition, Johnson said, “The bipartisan House Oversight Committee is already accomplishing what the discharge petition, that gambit, sought and much more.”
The House speaker explained that the third batch of Epstein file information that is currently being released by the House Oversight Committee “was not even included in the discharge petition.” Johnson noted that the investigation by the House Oversight Committee is bipartisan and is “far broader in scope” than the discharge petition.
“Unfortunately, some Democrats and, sadly, even a couple of Republicans have tried to make this a political issue,” Johnson said. “They seem to be more interested in trying somehow to lay a glove on the president than in securing justice for these victims. And I think that is shameful.”
According to Politico, Johnson announced on Tuesday that all “credible information” related to the Epstein files will be publicly released as part of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation. The House speaker also emphasized that Epstein’s accusers would be protected.
“I’ve met with some of the Epstein victims,” Johnson stated. “We’re working around the clock to ensure that justice is served and also as part of the oversight to figure out why justice has been delayed for so long.”