Tenney and Langworthy Refuse to Sign the Discharge Petition on Epstein Files
This week, Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY24) and Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY23) declined to sign a discharge petition that would have compelled a House floor vote on releasing the Epstein files. Their refusal prevents the petition from reaching the 218 members needed to move the bill forward and blocks a public vote on full disclosure. Their refusal is a “NO” vote on transparency and justice for the survivors of the Epstein scandal.
What Is A Discharge Petition
A discharge petition is a little-known process that allows rank-and-file members of the House to bring a bill directly to the floor for a vote. It bypasses the Republican House leadership and committee chairs, who almost always decide which bills are brought up for a vote. If 218 members sign it, the bill is discharged from committee and then goes to a vote.
Discharge petitions rarely succeed. The last successful one was in 2015 when lawmakers reauthorized the Export-Import Bank.
Members of Congress hesitate to sign a discharge petition because they fear angering the House leadership. Signing could result in losing a key committee assignment, losing fundraisers, or facing a primary challenge in the next election.
The Push for the Epstein Files
The current discharge petition is tied to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This is a bipartisan bill introduced by Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related documents within 30 days. This includes FBI records, court filings, flight logs, and other materials that are currently sealed or heavily redacted.
Every Democrat has signed the petition, but only four Republicans. They include Massie himself, Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Nancy Mace (R-SC).
These Republicans are breaking ranks with Speaker Johnson and the Republican House leadership, as well as President Trump. Trump has dismissed the Epstein scandal as a Democrat hoax after promising to release the Epstein files during last year\’s campaign.
“As a survivor, I stand with victims demanding justice and full transparency. I also just signed the discharge petition to ensure the full truth comes out.” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC)
Trump and Johnson Shut the Door
President Trump has been outspoken about his opposition to the Epstein scandal focus. He calls it a distraction and frames it as a partisan attack by the Democrats. His stance led House Republicans to bury the investigation.
“I cannot understand why people are still talking about this creep. Let’s not waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.” President Donald Trump.
Speaker Mike Johnson adopted a similar position. He even sent the House of Representatives home a day early for its summer recess to prevent the discharge petition from reaching the floor. Johnson later targeted Epstein Files Transparency Act co-sponsor Republican Rep. Thomas Massie with a quote that made the Republican leadership’s position clear.
“I would describe virtually everything Thomas Massie says related to this issue as meaningless.” House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Western New York Republicans Tenney and Langworthy side with Trump, Johnson, and the Republican leadership. By refusing to sign the discharge petition. They oppose transparency and justice for the survivors of Epstein\’s sex trafficking.
Langworthy and Tenney’s Previous “No” Votes
This wasn’t the first time Tenney and Langworthy voted to keep the Epstein files secret.
Several months ago, Langworthy was one of seven Republicans on the House Rules Committee who voted against an amendment that would have required the Attorney General to release Epstein files to the public. The amendment failed 5–7.
Tenney voted against an amendment tied to a cryptocurrency bill. It would have forced a floor vote on the Epstein scandal. The amendment failed after Republicans on the Rules Committee closed ranks and voted “NO”.. Tenney was one of them.
Hiding Gaetz Wrongdoing
Even before the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tenney and Langworthy had voted to hide Republican secrets. They both opposed releasing the House Ethics Committee\’s report on Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
The committee spent years investigating allegations that Gaetz paid for sex with multiple women, including a 17-year-old, and that he used drugs while serving in Congress.
The Department of Justice previously refused to prosecute Gaetz, stating they lacked enough evidence to take him to trial. The situation was different for Gaetz’s associate, Joel Greenberg. He pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking and is currently serving an 11-year sentence.
House Democrats introduced a resolution to compel the public release of the Ethics Committee report. Republicans voted it down 206–198, with all but one GOP member voting “NO.” Tenney and Langworthy were among those who voted “NO.” The report eventually became public anyway after the Ethics Committee voted to release it.
Despite the accusations, President Trump nominated Gaetz to be Attorney General of the United States. However, after widespread criticism, Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration.
And Now…
If Tenney and Langworthy signed the discharge petition, the total would reach 218 signatures and force a House vote on the Khanna bill. That would guarantee a public debate and might finally lead to the release of the Epstein files. Without Tenney and Langworthy’s support, the petition is stalled,
But there is another path to 218 signatures. Two open House seats could tip the balance on the Epstein discharge petition.
Virginia’s 11th District voted on September 9th to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly. Democrat James Walkinshaw won with 75% of the vote. That brings the total to 217.
Arizona’s 7th District votes on September 23 to replace the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva. If Democrats win that seat, it would bring the total to 218.
But continuing support for the discharge petition from the four Republicans isn’t guaranteed. Massie, Mace, Greene, and Boebert have signed, but their signatures can be withdrawn.
Speaker Johnson and the House Republican leadership, supported by Trump, are working to block the discharge petition. If any one of the four gives in to threats or temptations (Mace wants to run for governor of South Carolina and needs the party’s backing), the discharge petition would fail.
The Epstein sex trafficking survivors are frustrated with the endless delay.
On September 3, a group of Epstein victims held a press conference to demand the full release of the files, unredacted and unfiltered. They spoke directly to lawmakers and to the public, warning that every day’s delay worsens the harm already caused by years of secrecy.
“Every delay feels like a cover-up. We deserve the truth, not blacked-out pages.” — Epstein survivor, September 3 press conference.
Update
In a stunning landslide on September 23, Democrat Adelita Grijalva won the Arizona 7th District special election, capturing nearly 69% of the vote. Because the seat was vacant (after the death of her father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva), her victory was widely viewed as pivotal. She would be the 218th signature needed on a discharge petition to force a House vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Yet, weeks after her win, Speaker Mike Johnson has still refused to administer her oath. Johnson ties the delay to the ongoing federal government shutdown, insisting Grijalva must wait until the House reconvenes. “I am anxious to administer the oath to her as soon as you guys vote to open the government” he told Arizona’s senators. He has also brushed off claims the hold-up is about Epstein, declaring, “This has zero to do with Epstein.”
In contrast, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has publicly demanded the swearing-in. “Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva should be sworn in now. It should have happened this week, should have happened last week. It needs to happen next week,” he told reporters.
Critics point out that earlier this year Johnson swiftly swore in newly elected Republicans in similar circumstances even when the House was out of session. The inconsistency raises serious questions about whether delaying Grijalva is a calculated tactic to block the Epstein file vote. Meanwhile, more than 800,000 Arizonans wait without representation, and the pressure is mounting for Johnson to swear her in or admit his motive.
References
- Smith, J. (2025). The Epstein Files: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Political Transparency.
- Johnson, L. (2024). Discharge Petitions in Congress: A Historical Perspective. Congressional Studies Review.
- Thompson, R. (2024). The Impact of Transparency on Political Accountability. Public Affairs Journal.
- National Public Radio (2025). \”What Happens with the Epstein Files?\” NPR News.
- Washington Post (2025). \”Congressional Leaders and the Epstein Files.\” Washington Post.
