House GOP blocks Dem maneuver to force release of Epstein files

House Republicans on Monday voted down a Democratic amendment to cryptocurrency legislation that would have required the Justice Department to release all Jeffrey Epstein-related files. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), was rejected 5–6 in the House Rules Committee, with Republicans arguing it was unrelated to the crypto and defense bills at hand. One Republican, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), voted with Democrats in favor, Axios has reported. Democrats criticized Republicans for blocking the measure after previously pledging transparency, vowing to keep pushing for the files’ release.