3:05House Speaker Mike Johnson delivers remarks during a press conference at the US Capitol on November 10, 2025, in Washington, DC.Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday evening that the House of Representatives will conduct a vote the following week on legislation that would require the Justice Department to release all of the Jeffrey Epstein documents in spite of his past resistance to the discharge petition compelling a vote.
"It's a completely needless activity," Johnson contended. "It is essentially irrelevant at this point. We may as well proceed with it. They do, after all, have 218 signatures, which is acceptable. We will take care of it."
House Republican leaders have yet to specify the exact timing of the vote or how it will be addressed on the House floor.
"We haven’t finalized the schedule yet — but it will happen as swiftly as possible," Johnson stated during a discussion with reporters Wednesday evening. "It’s possible we can handle it under suspension. I’m uncertain. However, we haven’t yet worked out the details."
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol on November 10, 2025, in Washington, DC.Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Here’s what we understand about the prospective events of next week:
What is the purpose of the bill?
The Epstein Files Transparency Act would obligate Attorney General Pam Bondi to make accessible to the public, in a format that is both searchable and downloadable, all "unclassified records, documents, correspondence, and investigative data" currently held by the Department of Justice.
Among other things, it aims to secure information pertaining to Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell; individuals linked to Epstein’s illicit actions, civil resolutions, immunity agreements, or negotiated settlements; any immunity arrangements, non-prosecution pacts, plea agreements, or confidential settlements involving Epstein or his associates; internal DOJ communications regarding decisions to indict, decline to indict, investigate, or forgo investigating Epstein or his associates; and particulars related to Epstein’s detention and passing.
It authorizes the AG to withhold or redact material that: encompasses personally identifying details of victims or victims’ private and medical records and akin files; exhibits or comprises child sexual abuse content; would potentially endanger an ongoing federal inquiry or current prosecution, given that such measures are narrowly applied and temporary.
What might the House vote entail?
Via a rule: The Epstein files legislation could be presented under a rule, which would necessitate a straightforward majority for approval. The measure would first need to pass through the House Rules Committee. Upon the Rules Committee’s advancement of the measure to the floor for comprehensive deliberation, there would be discussion regarding the rule, followed by a vote to approve it. Subsequently, the House would deliberate on the legislation itself, culminating in a concluding vote.
It is virtually certain that the House would adopt the Epstein bill were it to be introduced under a rule. Currently, there are 433 members of the House, thus requiring 217 votes if all members are present and casting their votes. Should the bill be brought forth under a rule, the earliest we could anticipate a vote is probably Tuesday.
Under suspension: The Epstein files bill could be introduced to the floor under suspension, mandating a two-thirds majority for passage. If all 214 Democrats and the four Republicans who endorsed the petition vote in affirmation, roughly 70 Republicans would still need to vote in favor for the bill to succeed. With 433 House members presently, the crucial number is 289 if all members participate and vote.
House Republicans currently anticipate that approximately 40 to 50 members of the conference will vote in support. Should the speaker present the bill under suspension, it could potentially be addressed as early as Monday night upon the House’s return for voting at 6:30 p.m.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks to reporters, November 10, 2025 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
What transpires if it passes the House?
The bill would subsequently be forwarded to the Senate, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune is not required to introduce it. It remains uncertain whether Thune will table the bill, though he has expressed his support for transparency.
If it passes the Senate
The bill would then proceed to President Donald Trump, who is highly likely to veto it. Overturning the president’s veto would necessitate a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
