New House Member Grijalva Triggers Vote on Epstein Files Release

Adelita Grijalva is poised to become the latest member of the US House of Representatives following her swearing-in on December 6, 2023. This event will also activate a significant legislative effort aimed at releasing the case files related to the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Grijalva is expected to provide the 218th signature on a discharge petition, allowing lawmakers to force a vote on this contentious issue, which has faced resistance from the White House for several months.

The discharge petition is a procedural mechanism that enables rank-and-file members to compel a vote on legislation, even if House leadership is opposed. In this case, if Grijalva signs the petition, it will initiate a series of steps leading to a floor vote in the House. The petition requires 218 signatures, representing a majority of the 435 House districts, to advance.

Steps Following Grijalva’s Signature

Once Grijalva adds her name to the petition, a seven-day “ripening” period must pass before any member can move to bring the petition to the floor. During this time, House Speaker Mike Johnson will have up to two legislative days to schedule the vote. This could potentially allow the House to begin considering the vote on the Epstein files in the first week of December 2023, although the timing could shift based on the House’s schedule and availability.

Johnson has indicated that he would allow a vote if the petition reached the necessary signature count. He stated, “If they get their signatures, it goes to a vote.” However, he also characterized the effort as a “moot point,” highlighting ongoing investigations by the House Oversight Committee and the release of thousands of documents related to Epstein’s case.

Challenges Ahead for the Bill

Even if the House successfully votes on the petition, significant hurdles remain. The bill would need to pass through the Republican-controlled Senate, where a supermajority of 60 votes is necessary for advancement. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed skepticism about the need for the legislation, arguing that the Justice Department’s prior document releases sufficiently address the issue.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer previously attempted to bring a similar bill to a vote in September, but that effort was thwarted by Republican opposition, with nearly all Republicans voting against it.

The potential outcomes of this legislative effort remain uncertain. Should the House vote to release the Epstein files, it would force members, particularly those in the Republican Party, to publicly choose between supporting President Donald Trump, who has dismissed the push, or advocating for transparency regarding Epstein’s crimes.

As the political landscape continues to shift, the upcoming weeks may reveal whether this initiative can gain traction or if it will falter in the face of partisan divisions.