Epstein Files Transparency Act – Democrats Use Discharge Petition When Republican Leadership Blocks Progress
- Staff Writer
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
After House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to allow a vote on the bill demanding the release of the Epstein files, House Democrats - frustrated with the Speaker’s stonewalling - joined with a few Republicans to force the bill forward through a “discharge petition”, bypassing the Speaker’s control.
What Is a Discharge Petition?
In the House of Representatives, a discharge petition is a tool that lets rank-and-file members force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote, even if leadership or the committee chair is unwilling. For Democrats frustrated by gridlock, it’s one of the few ways to move bills forward that could hold the executive branch accountable or improve laws for ordinary Americans.
How the Process Works, Step by Step
A member files a discharge motion with the Clerk of the House - but only after the bill has spent at least 30 legislative days in committee. The petition stays at the Clerk’s desk on the House floor.
Other members can sign it while the House is in session. Signatures are made publicly available daily; new signers are recorded in the Congressional Record weekly.
Once the petition hits 218 signatures, it goes on the Discharge Calendar. After a seven-legislative-day wait, a motion to discharge can be called.
If the motion passes (by a vote of the full House), then the House can immediately take up the bill.
Because of these procedural hurdles (especially the high signature bar and waiting period), discharge petitions are rare and difficult to pull off successfully.
How did the Process Work for the Epstein Files Transparency Act?
Referral to Committee: The Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on July 15, 2025, when it was introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) as a co-sponsor. That meant the 30-legislative-day clock started ticking from that referral.
Discharge Petition Filed: Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna filed a discharge petition in early September when Congress resumed after recess. Thirty days had passed, so the bill met the requirement. At this point, Democrats did not have the 218 votes required to pass the discharge petition.
Gathering Signatures: They started collecting signatures but had to wait until the end of the shutdown to obtain the last signature, that of Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), who was not seated despite having won her seat on September 23, 2025. A popular belief is that the shutdown was orchestrated to delay the seating of Grijalva, as she was the last signature needed for the petition.
Waiting Period for Floor Motion: After getting 218 signatures, they had to wait the seven legislative days before triggering the motion. Once that time had passed, someone who had signed (such as Massie or Khanna) announced their intention to offer the discharge motion. Under the rules, the Speaker (or leadership) then has two legislative days to schedule that motion.
Vote on House Floor: Because they met all these procedural requirements, the motion to discharge the committee was allowed, bringing the bill to the floor for a full House vote. The House ultimately passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act overwhelmingly (427–1) on November 18th. (It then passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent, a topic for another day!)
Discharge Petitions Are Becoming a Tool for Frustrated Democrats
In today’s partisan gridlock, Democrats see discharge petitions as a way to force votes on issues that leadership ignores, from transparency to consumer protections. Discharge petitions force members to vote, thereby making their stand on an issue a matter of record.
Tariffs (“Liberation Day”): Rep. Gregory Meeks (D‑NY) filed a petition in July 2025 to terminate certain presidential tariffs. It has not yet reached 218 signatures.
ACA Subsidies Extension: Filed on November 12, 2025, this petition seeks to extend expiring ObamaCare subsidies for three years. So far, it has not yet reached the required 218 signatures. But the 30-day clock has started ticking, so this is the perfect time to call your Representative and ask them to sign it.
In an era where leadership often stalls or blocks bills, discharge petitions give rank-and-file lawmakers a mechanism to push meaningful legislation forward. For frustrated Democrats, they are one of the few levers left to enforce transparency, rein in unchecked presidential power, and ensure that major legislation truly benefits average Americans.