House Republicans are closing in on a measure to provide an outlet for the Jeffrey Epstein-related furor unfolding on Capitol Hill.
On Thursday, Rules Committee Rep. Ralph Norman was the lone Republican on the panel who supported a Democratic amendment calling for the release of information around the case of Epstein, a sex predator. The matter has sparked an outcry from some Republicans’ constituents who want to see more action from the Trump administration and Congress.
Norman, leaving a several hours-long huddle with Speaker Mike Johnson and other Rules panel Republicans Thursday afternoon, suggested the group was closing in on a solution. He said the Rules Committee “will be meeting” Thursday evening.
Johnson and Republicans are trying to forge a likely nonbinding resolution on the matter that could help fend off Democratic attacks that the GOP is showing a lack of transparency on the case. The House Rules Committee needs to meet tonight or Friday morning in order for the chamber to clear the $9 billion rescissions package. But they’re also planning to force another Epstein-related vote during the meeting — putting Republicans in a very difficult spot.
House Democrats are reveling in the pressure they’re turning up on Republicans over the case. “The fact that they’re taking this long to come up with language to affirm they don’t cover up for pedophiles tells you everything you need to know about what’s going on here,” said one senior Democratic aide.
Asked about the effort on the resolution, Johnson said: “House Republicans are for transparency, and they’re looking for a way to say that.”
