HOUSE DISCHARGE PETITION FORCES VOTE TO RELEASE UNREDACTED EPSTEIN RECORDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — November 12, 2025. A House discharge petition demanding a full vote on the release of all unredacted Jeffrey Epstein records has officially reached 218 signatures, crossing the threshold required to force action on the House floor.
The petition, backed by a bipartisan mix of lawmakers, compels House leadership to schedule a vote on the Epstein Records Transparency Act, which would mandate the public release of flight logs, correspondence, visitor lists, federal investigative files, and other documents tied to Epstein’s network.
Discharge petitions rarely succeed — fewer than 5% reach the 218-signature mark — making today’s development one of the most consequential congressional maneuvers of the year.
Supporters argue that releasing the documents is essential for public trust. “The American people deserve full transparency about who enabled Epstein, who protected him, and who benefited from years of secrecy,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), one of the petition’s early sponsors.
Democratic members who signed the petition said the issue transcends party politics and relates to accountability for victims. “We cannot allow selective secrecy or political convenience to shield abusers,” said Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA).
Critics, however, warn that reckless disclosure could compromise ongoing civil cases, violate privacy rights of individuals not charged with crimes, and spark misinformation campaigns. Legal experts say the DOJ may challenge parts of the Act if it conflicts with judicial orders still protecting certain records.
The House must now schedule a vote within legislative days, though leadership could attempt procedural delays. If passed, the Act would direct the Department of Justice, FBI, and Southern District of New York to release all Epstein-related documents within 30–90 days, with minimal redactions.
The surge in signatures follows mounting public pressure, record-breaking online petition campaigns, and intensified scrutiny after recent email releases from congressional committees.
With the petition now validated, Washington braces for what could become one of the most impactful transparency votes in a generation.
