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To date, the Speaker has demonstrated remarkable proficiency at preventing his boisterous group of dissenters from plunging the House into disarray, a skill that last week once more thwarted efforts by a faction of Republican hardliners to challenge the desires of President Donald Trump. However, the Speaker’s essential capability might encounter its breaking point as early as the conclusion of this month.
Last Tuesday, Representative Tom Massie of Kentucky introduced a measure designed to compel the full House to vote on legislation requiring the Department of Justice to disclose all content it possesses related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and those who have accused him of sexual abuse. A day later, Epstein’s alleged victims rallied to draw further attention to Massie’s discharge petition. It achieved its objective. The gathering was widely discussed in Washington, as numerous women spoke graphically about the consequences of their interactions with Epstein, escalating the urgency for the House to act.
“I implore you, President Trump and members of Congress: why do we persist in concealing sexual abuse and assault? Who are we protecting?” accuser Chauntae Davies stated. “Allow the public to uncover the truth. We cannot achieve healing without justice. We cannot safeguard the future if we refuse to confront the past.”
Massie’s petition requires 218 signatures to force a vote. Thus far, only four Republicans—Massie, along with Representatives Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina—have joined the initiative. It is broadly expected that all 212 Democrats will participate, bringing the total to 216—just two short. There are four vacancies in the House, and three are almost certain to favor Democrats. If Democrats can secure the late Rep. ’s district in Virginia and the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s district in Arizona, that seals the deal. Both special elections are slated for this month. A third reliably Blue district, recently held by the late Rep. of Texas, is scheduled for a vote in November.
Massie has developed a reputation as a discontented member of the House. Two years ago, he stood alone in opposing a resolution condemning anti-Semitism. In January, he was the only Republican to vote against Johnson as Speaker. Discharge petitions remain active as long as their sponsor keeps them on the docket, suggesting this could become a test of wills between Massie and a Speaker he did not support.
While the movement advocating for file release might possess the , this political environment remains Trump’s Washington, and the avenues for obstructing a bill he opposes are extensive. Even if the measure advances out of the House, the Senate poses a significant impediment, where Majority Leader John Thune holds substantial influence. Most legislation still requires 60 votes to move forward, and there are no indications of such a level of Senate support for so clearly defying Trump. And, naturally, there is no chance Trump would relent and sign Massie’s bill into law, meaning this entire undertaking is a legislative futility.
Nevertheless, the fact that this measure remains an active possibility signals that Trumpism is navigating a challenging period.
From the campaign trail to the West Wing, Trump fostered the circulation of innuendo suggesting a global conspiracy was behind an Epstein-orchestrated sex ring. Once he returned to power, Trump’s influence on the narrative, and his every effort to suppress it has yielded the opposite result. There is simply too much sensationalism here: playboy billionaires, sex, and vulnerable children.
Earlier this summer, Johnson sent his troops home early for recess to evade a contentious vote on an Epstein measure, gaining him time he had hoped would allow the issue to subside. The controversy proved resilient. Last week, Johnson advanced a symbolic measure to direct the House oversight panel to continue its work on its Epstein investigation. It was essentially a superficial solution, but it served its purpose for the moment. (On Friday, Johnson claimed Trump was an in the Epstein case, before walking that back.)
It is impossible to disregard the considerable effort GOP leaders have expended to slow these developments. It becomes even more striking when one considers other items on the chamber’s agenda—bear in mind, government funding expires at the end of the month.
For the time being, Trump appears to have gotten his way and Johnson has managed the situation. The brief outburst, however, reveals an unease within the incredibly slim majority Johnson commands and the volatility of his base. And it is impossible to determine if this bill is definitively dead or merely dormant. Zealous proponents have been known to revive causes of all kinds.
But in a chamber where a Speaker can mete out significant retribution, being the member to push something to its limit can be career-ending. Two initial votes against Johnson’s Speakership were overturned under intense pressure from the White House. Massie did not yield, and he exited his gig on the powerful Rules Committee, although he characterized it as a voluntary departure. Johnson has made it clear he wants none of this occurring during his leadership.
Trump has characterized this defiance as unacceptable. If Johnson were to permit this to fester much longer, Trump might very well seek his ouster.
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