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- Johnson ending legislative session early over Epstein controversy (abcnews.go.com)
Washington D.C. – The House of Representatives has unexpectedly adjourned for its August recess, a day earlier than scheduled, amid a partisan clash over the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files. House Speaker Mike Johnson, visibly frustrated, blamed Democrats for derailing the legislative agenda with their insistence on forcing a vote on the matter.
The controversy began Monday evening when Democrats on the Rules Committee announced their intention to force a vote on bipartisan legislation demanding the release of the Epstein files. This effectively halted the committee’s work on a slate of unrelated bills, prompting Republicans to recess the meeting with no plans to reconvene.
Speaker Johnson echoed President Trump’s sentiments, accusing Democrats of playing political games and insisting that the administration is already addressing the issue. However, he reserved his sharpest criticism for Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who publicly criticized the decision to table the meeting and vowed to continue pushing for a vote on the Epstein files later this year. Johnson expressed bewilderment at Massie’s actions, calling him a source of “consternation.”
The stalemate on the House floor led to the cancellation of votes on several key measures, including immigration and clean water bills. Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined to comment on the specifics of the Epstein scandal, deferring to the Trump administration and relevant Senate committee chairs. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the President’s position that credible evidence should be released by the Department of Justice.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee is moving forward with its own investigation, planning to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate. The committee will coordinate with the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons to schedule Maxwell’s deposition. President Trump expressed his approval of the Justice Department’s pursuit of an interview with Maxwell.
Adding another layer to the legal complexities, Maxwell’s lawyers are requesting access to grand jury transcripts before taking a position on their public release. The federal judge overseeing the matter has indicated he will rule quickly but acknowledged that Maxwell’s stance could influence his decision. The Justice Department is also seeking to unseal these sensitive grand jury records.
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- Johnson ending legislative session early over Epstein controversy (abcnews.go.com)