Rep. Thomas Massie announced on November 11 that his discharge petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II has reached the 218 signatures needed to bypass House leadership. Only four Republicans signed: Massie, Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman and Brian Fitzpatrick. The other 214 signatures came from Democrats.
The bill, H.R. 9694, would amend the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed the House 427-1 in November 2025. Among other provisions, it would give Epstein survivors, state attorneys general and members of Congress legal standing to sue the Justice Department.
Axios reports the petition is expected to become eligible for a floor vote by early December. Massie has warned of rumors that Speaker Mike Johnson could recess the House to avoid the vote.