Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has just shut down Congress in order to block a vote on releasing the Epstein files.
Originally, Congress’s last day before their traditional 6-week break for August recess was Thursday.
But, Speaker Johnson just canceled it and sent everyone home early to avoid the vote!
BREAKING:
Mike Johnson just canceled votes for Thursday and is sending the House home early for summer recess in order to shut down Democratic efforts to demand more votes on releasing the Epstein files.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 22, 2025
Another day off for Congress…isn’t that just great?
Congress will not return to session until September 2nd.
BREAKING: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson CANCELS Thursday and will head into August recess until September 2nd per Punchbowl
Does this piss anyone else off or just me? pic.twitter.com/P9lskWcNd5
— Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) July 22, 2025
Democrats already tried once to force the release of the Epstein files, but Republicans voted ‘no’ to prevent them from getting control of the House floor.
This new petition that Speaker Johnson just blocked from getting a vote was introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna.
If the executive branch won’t release phase 2 of the Epstein files, we will. Americans deserve transparency and the victims deserve justice. pic.twitter.com/h0XxQnAbFs
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 21, 2025
Per Forbes:
Last week, Democrats on the House Rules Committee forced a vote on an amendment requiring Congress to release the remaining Epstein files. The amendment was rejected by seven of the Republicans on the committee. One Republican, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., voted alongside Democrats to push for the release. Johnson said he would shut down any further votes Monday, insisting Republicans would not allow Democrats to use another Epstein vote as a “battering ram.” However, Johnson still faces a new bipartisan move that could force a vote when the House returns from recess. One Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a bipartisan discharge petition alongside Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., which would force a floor vote on the complete release of the files. The discharge petition requires a majority of the House signing onto for approval, and Republicans control the chamber only with a slim majority.
Speaking after he adjourned Congress until September over this, Speaker Johnson said that we are owed “maximum transparency” on the Epstein files.
He’s absolutely right about that.
So, why shut down a vote on releasing them to the public?…
Well, Speaker Johnson explained that he is trying to prevent Rep. Massie and the Democrats from turning the Epstein evils into a “sideshow” and that he wasn’t going to allow them to “play political games.”
Watch what he had to say here for yourself:
Speaker Mike Johnson: "We want maximum transparency. We must turn the Epstein records over to the public. We are owed that. And we want any individual who has been involved in the Epstein evils to be brought to justice as quickly as possible." pic.twitter.com/4Ko2llBZ0r
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) July 22, 2025
So basically, Mike Johnson is saying he wants all credible evidence released to the American people and justice for Epstein’s countless victims…but, just not quite yet…
As for Rep. Massie, he now predicts that his measure will gain even more support throughout the month of August, after Speaker Johnson blocked it.
From NBC News:
Massie and Khanna need the signatures of at least 218 members of the House to get a vote on their Epstein bill in the fall, and the Kentucky Republican predicted they’ll get there.
ADVERTISEMENT“Over the August recess, I think momentum will build for transparency. I don’t think this is going to go away,” Massie said. “And I think, when we return in September, we’ll get Phase 2 of the Epstein files because we’ll get … every Democrat and at least a dozen Republicans who want transparency and justice.”
Maybe Speaker Johnson is right and Rep. Massie’s petition contains something very problematic in it…
I get that the intentions here might not be totally good and clear.
But, as I see it, why not just redact the victim names and release all the files to the American public?
That sounds exactly like “maximum transparency” to me.
Many folks on X are tired of all the hiding and slowwalking:
“As quickly as possible ” was yesterday
— Air フィットネストレーナー (@Airtorena) July 22, 2025
This is complete BS. Stalling for time hoping it goes away. No incumbents should ask for my vote because the answer is NO. Sick of this BS and will not vote for anyone that is currently part of this BS.
— Hate Being Censored (@hateBeingCensor) July 22, 2025
I hope this isn’t all talk and no action (again)
— STATENDD2023 (@statendd2023) July 22, 2025
What are your thoughts?



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