Mike Johnson plots revenge for Epstein files humiliation with 'higher threshold' rules change in Congress : report [View all]

Source: The Independent

Friday 21 November 2025 13:01 EST


Speaker Mike Johnson is reportedly plotting a change in the rules for the House of Representatives after Democrats — joined by just a few rogue Republicans — forced his hand on a vote to release the government’s files on pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, a new report reveals.

The move, reported Friday by Axios, comes after the House passed a discharge petition filed by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to declassify files related to the late convicted sex offender. Johnson had opposed the legislation until Trump gave his blessing.

An individual member can file a discharge petition to force a vote on the floor if a majority of members sign it. Still, only seven discharge petitions — including Epstein — have become law since 1935. But Johnson told Axios that discharge petitions have become “too common” and that he wanted to make them harder to obtain.

“I'd like to see a higher threshold for a lot of these motions. You know, privileged motions, discharge petitions,” added House Majority Leader Steve Scalise to the outlet. This also comes as Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) received enough signatures for his discharge petition to restore union rights for federal workers.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/mike-johnson-discharge-petition-epstein-b2870068.html