House Will Vote on Epstein Files Act in November 2026
A discharge petition nears the required signatures to force a legislative floor vote on federal document access.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Sex Crimes
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The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II in November 2026. A discharge petition to force the floor vote currently holds 216 signatures, nearing the 218 required for approval.
Why it matters
Lawmakers are pushing for this legislation because the Department of Justice continues to withhold and redact millions of files. The act would allow victims and prosecutors to sue the federal government to gain access to these records.
The Department of Justice currently withholds over 3 million Epstein files from public access. The discharge petition has reached 216 signatures as of September 2026, and the bill requires 218 signatures to force a floor vote.
The players
Thomas Massie
He is a U.S. Representative who initiated the discharge petition to bypass leadership and force a vote on the transparency legislation.
Emmet Sullivan
He is a U.S. District Judge who issued a warning to the Department of Justice regarding the withholding of records.
Todd Blanche
He is the U.S. Attorney General who has been warned by the court about potential contempt charges for withholding Epstein-related documents.
Mike Johnson
He is the Speaker of the House who will be required to schedule a vote within seven legislative days if the discharge petition reaches 218 signatures.
The details
Representative Thomas Massie filed the discharge petition in August 2026 to bypass leadership and force a vote on the legislation. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan has warned Attorney General Todd Blanche about potential contempt charges regarding the DOJ's refusal to release documents.
Timeline
August 2026: Thomas Massie filed the discharge petition.
September 2026: The petition reached 216 signatures.
September 2026: Judge Sullivan warned the Attorney General about contempt.
November 2026: Lawmakers return to Washington and final signatures are expected.
Roadmap
The push for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II represents a significant legislative attempt to challenge Department of Justice document retention policies. This move follows a broader trend of utilizing discharge petitions to force floor votes on high-profile transparency issues.
The potential passage of the act could grant victims and prosecutors unprecedented access to federal files currently deemed private by the DOJ. This shift may lead to new legal avenues for those seeking records related to the Epstein case.
The takeaway
This effort highlights the persistent tension between federal document retention policies and congressional oversight power. Citizens should monitor the November 2026 legislative session to see if the petition reaches the threshold required to force a public vote.
What happens next
The House of Representatives is scheduled to return to Washington in November 2026, at which point the final signatures for the discharge petition are expected and a vote on the bill will be held after the midterm elections.
Further reading
For more information on legal and transparency developments, visit the Sex Crimes section.
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