Mike Johnson shuts US House early to avoid Epstein vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing back against mounting pressure to act on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, opting instead to send lawmakers home early for their August recess, even as Republican lawmakers demand action and a vote on the matter.
The Louisiana Republican said on Tuesday that he wants to allow the White House time and “space” to release Epstein-related information on its own, despite bipartisan support for legislation that would compel further document disclosure.
“There’s no purpose for the Congress to push an administration to do something they’re already doing,” Johnson said at his weekly press conference — his last before lawmakers depart Washington on Wednesday for their traditional month-long break.
Photo Caption: House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stops to answer reporters’ questions about calls to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Johnson’s comments did little to calm the growing intra-party rift on Capitol Hill. Supporters of President Donald Trump, along with right-wing influencers and voters back home, have been increasingly vocal in demanding the full release of Epstein investigation files, with many Republicans urging the House to intervene.
“The public’s not going to let this die, and rightfully so,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, a South Carolina Republican.
Johnson’s leadership under pressure
The controversy has exposed fractures within Johnson’s control of the Republican conference. Even before his remarks on Tuesday, a GOP-led subcommittee on the House Oversight Committee was advancing a resolution to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, for a formal deposition.
Faced with internal discord, Johnson moved to adjourn House business early after effectively losing control of the House Rules Committee, the powerful body that sets floor debate. Late Monday night, Republicans on the panel abruptly recessed instead of allowing Democrats to force votes related to Epstein documents.
Originally, Republicans had scheduled votes on bills aimed at tougher penalties for illegal immigration, streamlining water infrastructure permits, and rolling back Biden-era regulations — but all were put on hold until after the recess.
Photo Caption: Audrey Strauss, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during a news conference in New York, July 2, 2020. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Frustrations boiled over last week when GOP leadership floated support for a symbolic resolution urging the Justice Department to release more Epstein records — a move seen as insufficient by many rank-and-file Republicans. Meanwhile, Trump has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue the release of grand jury testimony, though legal experts say that’s unlikely to yield much new information.
While Johnson emphasized he does want the files released, he stressed only those that are “credible.” He framed Trump’s cautious stance as rooted in concern for Epstein’s victims.
“We have a moral responsibility to expose the evil of Epstein and everybody who was involved in that — absolutely — and we’re resolved to do it,” Johnson said. “But we also have an equal moral responsibility to protect the innocent, and that is a fine needle to thread.”