U.S. House Petition Reaches 218 Signatures to Force New Epstein Files Vote After Democrat John Garamendi Signs

A bipartisan effort to force another U.S. House vote on Jeffrey Epstein’s files reached a critical milestone Wednesday when Democratic Rep. John Garamendi of California became the 218th lawmaker to sign a discharge petition led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie. ⠀ The signature gives supporters enough backing to bypass House Republican leadership and advance their effort to bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act II to a floor vote. Garamendi’s name appeared as the 218th signer on the House clerk’s official record, one day after Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington added the 217th signature. ⠀ The proposed legislation would allow Epstein’s victims, state attorneys general and members of Congress to sue the Justice Department over records they believe have been unlawfully withheld, concealed, delayed or excessively redacted. It would also strengthen access to unredacted material for victims and prosecutors. ⠀ Congress passed the original Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025, and President Donald Trump signed it into law. The Justice Department says it has complied, announcing the release of nearly 3.5 million pages in January 2026. Massie and other supporters of the new bill argue that significant records remain improperly withheld. ⠀ The petition’s success does not immediately schedule a vote or guarantee passage. House rules require further procedural steps before lawmakers can consider the measure, and any legislation passed by the House would still need Senate approval. ⠀ The renewed push comes as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January, potentially opening another chapter in the dispute over the government’s handling of records connected to the late convicted sex offender.