Rep. Thomas Massie says he has 218 signatures to force House vote on “Epstein Files Transparency Act II”

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said on Nov. 11 that he has secured enough signatures to force a vote in the House on what he calls the “Epstein Files Transparency Act II,” using a discharge petition process that requires support from a majority of the full membership.

Massie said he reached “the required 218 signatures” for his discharge petition, according to statements reported by The Hill. The House procedural step would put the measure into a position for House consideration even if it is not otherwise advanced by the committee process.

The discharge petition is associated with what Massie described as “Epstein files” transparency. The move comes amid continued congressional interest in records related to disgraced financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a subject that has produced multiple legislative proposals over several sessions.

Reporting from CBS News and The Washington Times also described Massie’s announcement and noted that the petition follows an earlier effort connected to Epstein-related records, with this second effort framed by supporters as a further push for additional transparency.

Under the House rules discharge petition system, a Member can bring legislation to the floor after collecting signatures from at least 218 Members. If the procedural requirements are satisfied, the measure can be called up for debate and a House vote, shifting control from committee scheduling to the full chamber.

Democratic lawmakers and other critics have previously argued that the discharge process can be used to bypass committee review and compel rapid floor consideration, while supporters say the approach is an established mechanism to ensure a House vote on matters the majority supports. In this case, Massie’s announcement indicates his measure has now cleared the signature hurdle required to initiate that next procedural stage.

The practical next step, according to the reports, is that the discharge petition will proceed through whatever administrative and procedural handling is required before the House can take up the measure for a vote, with Members’ positions and timing likely to determine how quickly the chamber can act on the text.