Speaker Johnson Shuts Down House to Avoid Epstein Files Vote

The Big Picture

Speaker Mike Johnson has moved to shut down the U.S. House of Representatives until September, a decision widely interpreted as a maneuver to block a floor vote demanding the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The announcement immediately drew criticism from Democrats, who say the recess is being used to suppress accountability.

What’s New

Just hours before the Speaker’s declaration, the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee voted unanimously to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s long-time associate. The motion was introduced by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) during an unrelated hearing and passed by voice vote, as reported by The Hill.

Burchett had previously urged Oversight Chair James Comer to issue the subpoena. Comer agreed, recommending a formal motion, which was promptly approved by the panel. A committee spokesperson stated, “The Committee will seek to subpoena Ms. Maxwell as expeditiously as possible,” noting that coordination with the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons would be required due to Maxwell’s incarceration.

What They’re Saying

House Oversight Democrats voiced their outrage on X (formerly Twitter):

They added, “Congress should not get an early Summer break. We need to stay in town to keep working to lower costs and uncover the truth.”

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that he had contacted Maxwell’s legal team to discuss a potential meeting “in the coming days.” Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein and his associates.

What’s Next

The House Oversight Committee will work with federal agencies to schedule Maxwell’s deposition. However, the timeline remains unclear due to logistical barriers posed by her incarceration and the need for DOJ approval.

The Bottom Line

Speaker Johnson’s decision to suspend House activities effectively halts momentum on broader Epstein-related investigations. As public pressure mounts for transparency, critics argue the congressional recess serves to protect those implicated in one of the most notorious sex trafficking scandals in recent history.

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