Summer break might come early for the House, as Speaker Mike Johnson faces a Jeffrey Epstein problem that just won’t quit.
Republican leaders are considering sending the House home as early as Wednesday, after a bipartisan clash over the so-called Epstein files broke the Rules Committee Monday night. Rules recessed after Democrats threatened to force a vote on Epstein — a move that is now derailing floor action planned for this week.
Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Monday night the plan is still to stay until Thursday. The House can still work through suspension votes on relatively uncontroversial, bipartisan measures that can get two-thirds support from members.
“We’re not sending anybody home,” Johnson said.
It’s making for an awkward megabill celebration Tuesday night at the White House, where Trump is planning to host Republican lawmakers.
GOP leaders have an understanding with the White House that the House will not vote on releasing further Epstein documents before the August recess.
“The Trump administration’s petitioned the courts to release some of the sealed documents,” Scalise said in an interview. “Hopefully, the court acts swiftly. It’d be important if they got that out.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has a discharge petition that would require the release of Epstein-related documents, is undeterred and warning that support for his effort will only be bigger when Congress returns in September. He says at least a dozen Republicans support his proposal – and he appears to have the backing of Theo Von as well.
What else we’re watching:
— Senate Dems prepare for funding fights: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is beginning to organize Democrats around a looming government funding battle. He’ll talk Tuesday with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to discuss the funding endgame strategy and continue his behind-the-scenes discussions with senators on how to utilize their leverage.
— Garbarino to lead Homeland: Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) will be the new chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, after the Republican steering committee approved him after two ballots Monday night. He’ll likely make the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency a top priority for the panel.
Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.
