Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) say they have secured the 218 signatures needed on a discharge petition for legislation aimed at compelling the Justice Department to release additional files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Massie announced the development Thursday evening, noting that four Republicans, including himself, had signed the petition. The others are Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina. With nearly all Democrats on board, the total reached the threshold required to bypass House leadership and force a floor vote.

The petition targets the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, a follow-up measure to the original Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law in November 2025. That earlier law directed the release of millions of pages of documents, though critics contend the Justice Department has withheld or heavily redacted additional records.

The new bill would create a private right of action allowing state attorneys general, victims, and members of Congress to sue the attorney general for noncompliance. It addresses claims that the department has delayed releases and maintained excessive redactions beyond the requirements of the prior statute.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) adjourned the chamber for a seven-week recess ahead of the midterm elections, which delayed further action on the petition until lawmakers return. Massie, who lost his primary in May by roughly ten points, expressed confidence the measure will advance once Congress reconvenes.

The bipartisan effort is one of many such demands for full transparency into the Epstein case. The original discharge petition process in 2025 succeeded, resulting in a near-unanimous House vote. This petition from Khanna and Massie is not expected to receive further action until the House comes back into session after the November general elections.