Congress is effectively paralyzed this week — and it’s not over the budget, Ukraine or immigration. It’s over Jeffrey Epstein. The House is adjourning early for its August recess after MAGA-aligned Republicans revolted over the Trump Justice Department’s decision not to release more Epstein files.
The uproar has Republican leaders scrambling to avoid Democratic amendments that would force a vote on full transparency. In fact, the Rules Committee skipped meetings on two separate occasions because Republicans didn’t want to be caught voting against releasing Epstein-related documents.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says the files should be released as quickly as possible but also warned about exposing victims.
The mixed messaging hasn’t calmed the GOP base, which is flooding lawmakers like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia with calls demanding answers.
Bottom line: For all the talk of draining the swamp, this House just hit pause because no one wants to be caught on the wrong side of the Epstein story.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
