Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY23) cast two votes this week to block the release of the Epstein files and client list.
Polling shows overwhelming public support—including among Republicans—for full disclosure.
This isn’t the first time Langworthy has voted to shield GOP misconduct; he also voted to bury the House Ethics report on Matt Gaetz.
Other Republicans, including Former Vice President Pence and Speaker Mike Johnson, support releasing the Epstein records.
- Langworthy is on the wrong side of this issue.
Langworthy Votes Against Epstein Disclosure
This week, Western New York Congressman Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY23)cast not one, but two key votes to block the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. These are the files that could help expose one of the most disturbing sex trafficking operations in modern American history.
July 14: Behind Closed Doors in the House Rules Committee
It began Monday night in the House Rules Committee, the powerful committee that controls how and whether legislation reaches the House floor. Often called Congress’s gatekeeper, the committee has immense influence and operates largely out of public view.
That’s where Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced an amendment requiring the Department of Justice to publish all federal records tied to Epstein’s investigation, prosecution, and incarceration. The proposal aimed to compel long-overdue transparency from the Trump-era Justice Department.
Langworthy, representing Western New York and the Southern Tier, voted to block it. The amendment was defeated in a 7–5 vote, with all but one Republican, South Carolina’s Ralph Norman, voting “no”.
Who Is On the House Rules Committee?
| Majority (Republicans, 9 members) | Minority (Democrats, 4 members) |
| Virginia Foxx (R‑NC) – Chairwoman | Jim McGovern (D‑MA) – Ranking Member |
| Michelle Fischbach (R‑MN) | Mary Gay Scanlon (D‑PA) |
| Ralph Norman (R‑SC) | Joe Neguse (D‑CO) |
| Chip Roy (R‑TX) | Teresa Leger Fernández (D‑NM) |
| Erin Houchin (R‑IN) | |
| Nick Langworthy (R‑NY) ** | |
| Austin Scott (R‑GA) | |
| Morgan Griffith (R‑VA) | |
| Brian Jack (R‑GA) |
July 15: A Second Chance, Another “No”
On Tuesday, the full House had a second opportunity to bring the Epstein files amendment to a vote. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) filed a procedural motion to bypass the Rules Committee and allow a vote on releasing the files within 30 days.
The motion failed—by one vote. The final tally: 211–210.
Every Republican present, including Langworthy, voted against it. Langworthy voted against public disclosure. He voted against justice for Epstein’s victims.
The Khanna Amendment
Khanna’s amendment:
Section 1: Directed the Attorney General to publish, within 30 days, all federal records related to Epstein’s investigation, prosecution, and incarceration.
Section 2: Defined those records broadly to include exhibits, interviews, internal memos, and any related DOJ or FBI materials.
Section 3: Allowed redactions only for legally required reasons—such as national security or personal privacy—but barred other discretionary withholding.
Khanna’s amendment required the government to release nearly everything it knows about Epstein including his client list, communications with federal agencies, and any links to public officials, corporate elites, or other powerful individuals.
Not Langworthy’s First Cover-Up Vote
Langworthy Voting Against His Constituents
A July Quinnipiac University poll confirmed what most Americans already suspected: the public wants answers, and they don’t believe they’re getting them. 63% of registered voters disapprove of how Trump is handling the Epstein files. Just 17% approved.
Even among Republicans, support was shaky: only 40% approved, while 36% disapproved and 24% weren’t sure.
The numbers were lopsided among Democrats – 83% disapproval – and independents 71%disapproval.
The poll also revealed widespread disapproval of Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. None polled higher than 40% approval.
As Quinnipiac analyst Tim Malloy put it, “Epstein has been dead and gone for years but his tawdry legacy looms large in a country wanting to know more about who he knew and whether secrets have been buried with him.”
In spite of the polling and the clear wishes of his constituents, Langworthy voted against the release of the Epstein files – twice.
Recent Quotes From Prominent Republicans Breaking With Trump Over the Epstein Files
| Name | Position | Quote |
| Mike Pence | Former Vice President | “I think the time has come for the administration to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s investigation and prosecution… anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held up to public scrutiny.” |
| Lara Trump | Former RNC Co-Chair; Trump’s daughter-in law | “There needs to be more transparency… I believe they’ll probably try to get out [files] sooner rather than later” |
| Mike Johnson | Speaker of the House (R-LA) | “We should put everything out there and let the people decide it.” |
| Thomas Massie | U.S. Representative (R-KY) | “I want to know what the hell is in these files.” |
| Nikki Haley | Former U.N. Ambassador, 2024 GOP presidential candidate | “This is why people don’t trust government.” |
| Ralph Norman | U.S. Representative (R-SC), House Rules Committee member | “I believe in transparency… but the Rules Committee isn’t the body to do this” |
Langworthy is on the Wrong Side
Looking ahead to next year’s midterm elections, several prominent Republicans are breaking ranks with Trump and voicing support for the full release of the Epstein files.
Former Vice President Mike Pence said, “I think the time has come for the administration to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s investigation and prosecution… anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held up to public scrutiny.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, looking to preserve the Republican majority in the House and his own speakership, said, “We should put everything out there and let the people decide it.”
Former U.N. Ambassador and presidential candidate Nikki Haley said, “…this is why people don’t trust government.”
Even Trump’s own daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, a potential candidate for the Senate from North Carolina, said, “I do think that there needs to be more transparency on this, and I think that that will happen… And I believe anything that they are able to release that doesn’t… damage any witnesses or anyone underage… I believe they’ll probably try to get out sooner rather than later.”
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to force the release of DOJ documents. He said, “I want to know what the hell is in these files.“
Calls for transparency reflect mounting pressure within the GOP to distance itself from the shadow of Epstein’s network and to demonstrate to voters that they have nothing to hide.
That makes Rep. Langworthy’s actions all the more outrageous. In two days, he cast votes to block both the Rules Committee and floor efforts to release the Epstein files. Langworthy voted for secrecy over transparency. He voted for party over country.
As the public backlash intensifies and as more Republicans demand transparency, Langworthy finds himself on the wrong side of this issue. Something his opponents in next year’s election will repeatedly point out.
