House GOP votes against attaching amendment for release of Epstein files to crypto bill

Democrat lawmaker Ro Khanna (D-CA) moved to attach an amendment to the GENUS Act as well as a defense spending bill, but the effort was blocked by the Republicans on the House Rules Committee.

The vote failed 5-6, but one GOP lawmaker, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) moved to side with voting in favor of releasing all of the files with the four Democrats. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) did not vote on the issue.

Norman told Axios, "The public's been asking for it. I think there are files. All of a sudden not to have files is a little strange. We'll see how it plays out. ... I think the president will do the right thing."

Democrat Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) on the Rules Committee told the outlet, "I want to know what the hell is in these files."

The files also contain the names of victims as well as photos of those who were subject to Epstein's abuse. Ro Khanna's amendment did not appear to have any wording that would have censored information regarding victims.

The amendment stated, "The Attorney General shall retain, preserve, and compile any records or evidence related to any investigation, prosecution, or incarceration of Jeffrey Epstein," and, "Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall release and publish any records or evidence related to any investigation, prosecution, or incarceration of Jeffrey Epstein on a publicly accessible website."

Khanna later claimed on X when this criticism was brought up by Tim Pool, "The DOJ would have course protect victims' identity. I have made that clear. This is about releasing the Epstein evidence & the client list. Everyone knows that! That's why Rep. Ralph Norman & other republicans support it."