Politics

Petition for second Epstein files bill reaches 218 signatures

Rep. Thomas Massie's discharge petition hit the 218-signature threshold Wednesday, enabling a House vote on the bill.

Published Nov 11, 2026 · 23:44 UTC2 reports

The short version

Rep. Thomas Massie's discharge petition reached the 218 signatures needed to force a House floor vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II.[CBS News]
Four Republicans, including Massie, and all Democrats signed; the bill would let members of Congress, state attorneys general and Epstein survivors sue the Justice Department over disclosure compliance.[ABC News · CBS News]
Massie accuses the Justice Department of unlawfully withholding over 3 million Epstein files and heavily redacting released files; the department's response is not reported.[CBS News]

Massie's discharge petition reached the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II.[ABC News · CBS News]
The petition reached the 218-signature threshold on Wednesday.[CBS News]
Four Republicans, including Massie, and all Democrats added their names to the petition.[CBS News]
The bill would allow members of Congress, state attorneys general and Epstein survivors to sue the Justice Department for failing to comply with disclosure requirements.[ABC News · CBS News]
The original Epstein Transparency Act was signed into law nearly a year ago after lawmakers used a similar discharge maneuver.[CBS News]

Massie's claim that the Justice Department unlawfully withholds over 3 million Epstein files and heavily redacts released files is his own allegation; the department's response is not reported.[CBS News]
The timing of any House floor vote is not confirmed in the reporting.[ABC News · CBS News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.