Epstein Files Act II Hits 218 Signatures: What Happens Next
Thomas Massie's discharge petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II reached 218 signatures, forcing a House vote on withheld Justice Department files.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America
WASHINGTON, Nov 11 — A discharge petition forcing a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II reached 218 signatures on Wednesday, after Representative John Garamendi of California added the final name, according to House Clerk records. The petition, led by Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, lets a majority of the House bypass the Speaker and put the bill on the floor.
All 214 House Democrats signed, along with four Republicans: Massie, Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman of South Carolina, and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. The count had sat at 216 since mid-September until Adam Smith signed as the 217th name.
- Massie's petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II reached 218 signatures on Wednesday; John Garamendi provided the final name.
- The bill would let states, survivors and members of Congress sue the attorney general over withheld Epstein records.
- No House vote can come before the Thanksgiving recess ends; November 30 is the first day a signer can call the petition up.
- The bill must still pass the Senate and reach the president before the session ends in January.
What the Epstein Files Transparency Act II Would Require
The bill, H.R. 9694, introduced on July 15 by Massie with Representatives Ro Khanna and Teresa Leger Fernández, targets Justice Department compliance with the first Epstein files law. It would bar the department from withholding records under common-law privileges such as attorney-client privilege and deliberative process. It would also let state attorneys general, district attorneys, victims and members of Congress sue the attorney general for unlawfully withholding, redacting or delaying Epstein-related records.
The department said in January that it had withheld or redacted roughly 200,000 pages on those grounds. It has released more than 3 million pages under the first law, of more than 6 million collected.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| July 15, 2026 | Act II introduced |
| August 31, 2026 | Discharge petition filed |
| November 10, 2026 | Smith signs, 217th name |
| November 11, 2026 | Garamendi signs, 218th name |
| November 30, 2026 | First day to call up petition |
| December 2–3, 2026 | Earliest floor action |
When Will the House Vote on Epstein Files Act II?
Under House rules, the motion must sit on the Discharge Calendar for seven legislative days. November 30 is the first day any signer can call it up, unless Speaker Mike Johnson brings it up himself, as he did for the first Epstein bill. If he does not, he will have two legislative days after November 30 to schedule the vote.
The bill must then pass the Senate before the session ends in January and be signed by the president. Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley and Ben Ray Luján lead the Senate version, but passage is not guaranteed.
Why Massie Says a Second Epstein Bill Is Needed
Massie and Khanna led the first push for the files' release. Their first bill passed the House 427-1 in November 2025 after a discharge petition forced the vote, and the president signed it on November 19, 2025. The law required the Justice Department to release its Epstein-related records by December 19, 2025, with limited exceptions for victims and investigations.
Khanna has accused the department of violating the 2025 law. A 136-page House Oversight Committee report released on November 10 rebuked the department's handling of the Epstein case. Democrats taking control of Congress in January also plan to subpoena banks that handled Epstein's accounts.
It comes one day after fellow Republicans blocked Massie's bid to force a vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which the House sent to committee 211-204.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Epstein Files Transparency Act II?
It would let state attorneys general, district attorneys, victims and members of Congress sue the attorney general over Epstein records the Justice Department withholds, redacts or delays. It would also stop the department from withholding records under common-law privileges.
How many signatures does a discharge petition need to force a House vote?
A discharge petition needs 218 signatures, a House majority. Once it reaches that number, the motion sits on the Discharge Calendar for seven legislative days before a signer can bring the bill to the floor.
When will the House vote on the Epstein Files Act II?
Not before the Thanksgiving recess ends. November 30 is the first day a signer can call the petition up, and floor action could come as early as December 2 or 3. The bill must then pass the Senate and be signed by the president before the session ends in January.
