Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) announced plans for a press conference on Wednesday featuring “10 victims” of Jeffrey Epstein, according to Massie’s statement. The event is scheduled for 10:30 AM on September 3. Massie expressed hope that Speaker Johnson would prioritize the victims’ call for justice and cease efforts to block legislation aimed at releasing Epstein-related files.
Khanna emphasized that the public will be “outraged” after hearing directly from the victims, who have remained silent for decades. The lawmakers are advocating for a House bill requiring the Justice Department to disclose its records on Epstein’s case. Khanna highlighted that victims were excluded from discussions following Epstein’s lenient plea deal, stating, “When the American people hear the victims for the first time, they will sympathize and demand accountability.”
The press conference is part of a broader campaign by Massie and Khanna to advance legislation compelling the release of Epstein files. They introduced a discharge petition targeting former Attorney General Pam Bondi, seeking access to DOJ records. Despite ongoing efforts by the Justice Department to share some documents with the House Oversight Committee via an August subpoena, the lawmakers remain determined to push forward.
Khanna expressed confidence in the bill’s viability, noting that 212 Democrats have pledged support and 12 Republicans are on board. He stated, “Only six more votes are needed” for the petition to succeed.