<p>Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) announced on September 17, 2026, that four Republicans, including himself, have signed the Epstein Files II discharge petition and expressed confidence it will pass the House.</p>
<p>This announcement follows House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sending lawmakers home for a seven-week recess ahead of the midterm elections.</p>
<p>Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) are leading the second Epstein Files discharge petition, similar to their efforts last year.</p>
<p>“When we return from recess that [Johnson] imposed until the election, [Khanna] & I will have 218 names required to force a vote!” Massie posted on X. He thanked Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Nancy Mace (R-SC) for signing the discharge petition.</p>
<p>The initiative reflects dissatisfaction from Massie and others regarding the Department of Justice’s handling of documents related to deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The second discharge petition aims to call for the release of additional Epstein files.</p>
<p>After the first discharge petition gained traction late last year, President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compels the DOJ to release all documents and records related to Epstein.</p>
<p>Some lawmakers, particularly Massie and Khanna, have criticized the administration for not releasing all files. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the DOJ has complied with the law but noted that privacy rules, legal exemptions, and other logistical challenges prevent the release of all documents. To date, over 3.5 million pages have been released.</p>
<p>Earlier in the week, Massie led another legislative measure that demonstrates his opposition to the administration: eight articles of impeachment against War Secretary Pete Hegseth. Blanche responded dismissively when asked about the impeachment effort during a White House press briefing, and Johnson sent the House home early after Massie introduced the impeachment articles.</p>
<p>No votes can be held on the impeachment effort or discharge petition until the House reconvenes on November 9, 2026, six days after the general election.</p>
<p>After losing his primary, Massie is set to leave the lower chamber of Congress in January 2027, along with Norman and Mace. Fitzpatrick is up for reelection in November.</p>