House Speaker Johnson Shuts Down Congress Early to Block Epstein Files Vote

| Importance: 8/10 | Status: confirmed

House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly sends Congress into early summer recess on July 23, 2025, specifically to prevent a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act discharge petition led by Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). The petition had gained bipartisan momentum following public pressure for transparency about Jeffrey Epstein’s connections. Johnson announced July 21 he would block any Epstein-related votes, then executed the early shutdown two days later.

Key Actors

Mike Johnson Thomas Massie Ro Khanna House of Representatives

Tags

obstruction-of-justice epstein congressional-corruption transparency

Sources (3)

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