The Aporia · Massie says he’s convinced enough Republicans to pass Epstein Files II discharge petition

Massie says he’s convinced enough Republicans to pass Epstein Files II discharge petition

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Zimmermann, D. (2026, September 18). Massie says he’s convinced enough Republicans to pass Epstein Files II discharge petition. Washington Examiner. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/4732874/massie-enough-republicans-epstein-files-ii-discharge-petition/

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Quick Summary

Rep. Thomas Massie announced that four Republicans have signed the Epstein Files II discharge petition aimed at forcing the House to vote on releasing additional documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Massie expressed confidence that the petition will gather enough signatures before Congress returns from its seven-week recess after midterms, which begins November 9. The effort is part of ongoing criticism over the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related files, with Attorney General Todd Blanche asserting compliance but citing legal and logistical barriers for full document release.

Written by AI on 2026-09-18, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) announced on Thursday that four Republicans, including himself, have signed the Epstein Files II discharge petition and are confident it will pass the House upon their return from a seven-week recess imposed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). The effort is led by Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who successfully pushed for the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein last year through the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump. This new petition aims to compel the Department of Justice to release additional documents, despite Attorney General Todd Blanche's assertion that privacy rules and legal exemptions hinder full disclosure. Massie stated on X that he expects to gather 218 signatures needed for a vote when Congress reconvenes after the midterm elections.

Written for “Epstein Files Legislation Movement” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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⚖️ Leans left Hedges 2 of 11 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different actions by Rep. Thomas Massie: one regarding an impeachment resolution against Pete Hegseth and another about a discharge petition related to the Epstein Files.”

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0 of 15 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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Washington Examiner · 3814 article(s) · 7 correction(s) detected

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Topics

DOJ House Republicans the Department of Justice’s the Epstein Files Transparency Act

Subjects

Massie PERSON · 7× House ORG · 4× Epstein PERSON · 3× DOJ ORG · 2× Johnson PERSON · 2× Khanna PERSON · 2× Mike Johnson PERSON · 1× Republicans NORP · 1× Ro Khanna PERSON · 1× Thomas Massie PERSON · 1×

Narrative

Attorney General Todd Blanche maintains the DOJ complied with the law, but he has noted there are privacy rules, legal exemptions, and other logistical hurdles that prevent the department from releasing all of the documents.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-18

🔮 Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) announced Thursday that four Republicans, including him, have signed the Epstein Files II discharge petition and expressed confidence it will pass the House.

2026-09-18 · Washington Examiner

Massie says he’s convinced enough Republicans to pass Epstein Files II discharge petition · assertive framing

Claims (15 extracted, 0 hedged)

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) announced Thursday that four Republicans, including him, have signed the Epstein Files II discharge petition and expressed confidence it will pass the House. asserted

it → announce → House

The news comes after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sent lawmakers home for a seven-week recess ahead of the midterm elections. asserted

Johnson → come → elections

Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) are leading the second Epstein files discharge petition, as they did last year. asserted

they → lead → petition

“When we return from recess that [Johnson] imposed until the election, [Khanna] & I will have 218 names required to force a vote!” asserted

names → return → vote

Massie posted on X. He thanked Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Nancy Mace (R-SC) asserted

He → post → Fitzpatrick

The effort marks a disgruntled response from Massie and others over the Department of Justice’s handling of the documents related to late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. asserted

effort → mark → Epstein

The second discharge petition intends to call for the release of more Epstein files. asserted

petition → intend → files

After the first discharge petition successfully gained traction late last year, President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act to compel the DOJ to release all documents and records related to Epstein. asserted

Trump → gain → Epstein

Certain lawmakers, especially Massie and Khanna, have criticized the administration for not releasing all the files. asserted

lawmakers → criticize → files

that → maintain → documents

Over 3.5 million pages have been released so far. asserted

pages → release → ?

Earlier this week, Massie led another legislative measure that shows his disdain for the administration: eight articles of impeachment against War Secretary Pete Hegseth. asserted

that → lead → Hegseth

Blanche rolled his eyes when he was asked about the impeachment effort at a White House press briefing on Tuesday, and Johnson sent the House home early on Wednesday after Massie introduced the impeachment articles. asserted

Massie → roll → articles

No votes can be held on the impeachment effort or discharge petition until the House returns from recess on Nov. 9, six days after the general election. asserted

House → hold → election

After losing his primary, Massie is leaving the lower chamber of Congress in January 2027, along with Norman and Mace. asserted

Massie → lose → Norman