Lawmakers plan to force vote on Epstein files after August recess

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A bipartisan team of House lawmakers say they’ll force the House to vote in September on a measure requiring the release of government and court files related to the sex trafficking cases against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Rep. Thomas Massie, who sponsored the measure, said he’ll have enough signatures from fellow lawmakers to force consideration of the bill when lawmakers return in early September from a six-week summer break.

“I think the pressure is going to build over the August recess,” the Kentucky Republican told ABC’s “This Week.” “I don’t think it’s going to dissipate like the speaker hopes that it will.”

Speaker Mike Johnson last week shuttered the House for the summer break one day early after Democrats angled to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.

At the same time, GOP-led panels voted to subpoena Maxwell for her testimony and the federal government for the Epstein files.

Mr. Massie co-sponsored a bill with Rep. Rho Khanna, Washington Democrat, to force courts and the government to release documents related to the sex trafficking cases to the public.

Mr. Khanna said the public would question Mr. Trump if he pardoned Maxwell, who is cooperating with the Justice Department as it hunts for an alleged list of Epstein clients.

Maxwell was convicted of serving as Epstein’s accomplice in his sex trafficking scheme and she is serving a 20-year sentence.

Maxwell is seeking some form of clemency for her cooperation.

“I think people would say, why is he doing that,” Mr, Khanna said. “And can we really believe Maxwell’s testimony?’”

Mr. Khanna said presidential pardons have been abused.

“At this point, what the American people desperately need is for all of the evidence of the files to come out, so they can decide for themselves. So we are not relying on Maxwell, so they are not relying on even congressional committees.”

Mr. Massie said Maxwell does not deserve a pardon and others should be prosecuted for participating in the sex crimes.

“She’s guilty of crimes. But it’s hard to believe that she, herself and Epstein did these crimes themselves. So it’s time to find out who else was involved.”

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