Seven House Republicans (listed below) voted against a motion on Monday that would have allowed a congressional vote regarding the release of files in Jeffrey Epstein’s case.
Representative Ro Khanna, the Democrat from California, tabled an amendement for a House vote requiring Attorney General Pam Bondi to “preserve and release any records related to Jeffrey Epstein.”
The motion was defeated 5 to 7. One Republican member, Ralph Norman, voted yes alongside Democrats. Republican Representative Chip Roy, who missed the vote. Roy has been contacted via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The Epstein case has become a lightning rod in American politics, and the issue has fueled conspiracy theories and mistrust in various federal institutions over the past few years.
The controversy reignited after the Justice Department’s recent memo concluded there was no evidence of a client list or blackmail materials, contradicting earlier statements.
That sparked the ire of MAGA voters and popular conservative pundits, who fear a cover up.
Republicans in the House Rules Committee just stopped an amendment that, if passed, would force Congress to vote on whether the Trump Administration should release the Epstein files. What are they hiding? pic.twitter.com/FgsP25z80u
— Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (@RepTeresaLF) July 15, 2025
Trump, who does not stand accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, has tried to steer the conversation away from the issue, saying he cannot understand why people are “still talking about […] this creep,” and urged, “Let’s not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.”
There is no evidence that Trump is mentioned in any unreleased files related to the sex offender.
What To Know
If passed by Congress, the amendment would have forced Attorney General Pam Bondi to publish the Epstein documents on a “publicly accessible website.”
Representative Khanna put this vote up to the House Rules Committee after the DOJ released a memo obtained by Axios, which states there is “no credible evidence…that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.”
This memo contradicts Bondi’s previous assertion in February 2025 that Epstein’s so-called client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review.”
The alleged client list is believed by conspiracy theorists to be a list of high-profile people who were involved in Epstein’s accused sex trafficking operation.
Despite calls for the alleged list and more information on Epstein coming from MAGA voters, seven of the Republican majority on the House Rules Committee voted against placing Congressional pressure on the DOJ to release records on Epstein. They were:
Republicans Representatives Who Blocked Epstein Files Vote
- Charwoman Virginia Foxx — North Carolina 5th
- Michelle Fischbach — Minnesota 7th
- Erin Houchin — Indiana 9th
- Nick Langworthy — New York 23rd
- Austin Scott — Georgia 8th
- Morgan Griffith — Virginia 9th
- Brian Jack — Georgia 3rd
Those Who Voted for Release Vote
- Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)
- Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Penn.)
- Joe Neguse (D-Colo.)
- Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.)
- Ralph Norman (R-S.C)
Khanna’s amendment was a procedural measure, adding his proposal to the GENIUS Act. The Act is regarding assets such as cryptocurrency.
Epstein’s former lawyer, Alan Dershowitz has also denies the existence of an Epstein client list. On Monday, Dershowitz told News Nation there is a redacted list created by the FBI of people accused of being involved in criminal activity by Epstein’s alleged victims.
What People Are Saying
Representative Ro Khanna on X (formerly Twitter): “Rules voted 5-7 to block the full House from voting on my amendment to have a FULL release of the Epstein file. People are fed up. They are fed up. Thanks @RepRalphNorman. Need to put the American people before party!”
Democratic pundit Adam Mocker on X: “CHECKMATE: @RoKhanna has filed an amendment to force a vote on the Epstein files. He’s setting a brilliant trap to make every House Republican choose between protecting Trump’s cover-up or siding with their own base. This is how you fight back.”
John Thune, Senate Majority Leader told reporters on Monday: “Those matters fall under the DOJ and FBI’s jurisdiction. President Trump has expressed his views, and the DOJ and FBI concluded there is no credible evidence of Epstein blackmailing individuals.” (The Hill, July 15, 2025)
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social over the weekend: “What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and ‘selfish people’ are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein.”
The post Full List of Republicans Who Blocked Epstein Files Vote appeared first on Newsweek.
