Fact-check analysisVerified as of September 2, 2025Curated by FactVerify
True

Rep. Thomas Massie is set to begin collecting the 218 signatures required to force a vote on binding legislation to release the Epstein files.

Rep. Thomas Massie is indeed preparing to collect the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote on binding legislation to release the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Republican Thomas Massie gets the ball rolling on release of Epstein files as Congress returns to DC | The Independent

Republican Thomas Massie gets the ball rolling on release of Epstein files as Congress returns to DC | The Independent

Source: independent.co.uk

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified September 2, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

Multiple independent and reliable sources confirm that Rep. Thomas Massie has publicly stated his intention to begin gathering the required 218 signatures to initiate a discharge petition, which would compel a vote in the House of Representatives on legislation aimed at releasing government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. This effort is part of a broader bipartisan push involving other lawmakers, including Rep. Ro Khanna, to bring Epstein abuse survivors to Capitol Hill and increase transparency around the Epstein case.

Key points from the sources include:

Rep. Massie's own statement on X (formerly Twitter) explicitly mentions his plan to start collecting signatures once Congress returns from recess, emphasizing that this is a binding legislative effort.x.comx.comThomas Massie on X: "The Epstein files are not a hoax. The Speaker adjourned...

News outlets such as The Independent and NewsNation report that Massie is confident in reaching the signature threshold and is actively pushing for a House vote.independent.co.ukindependent.co.ukRepublican Thomas Massie gets the ball rolling on release of Epstein files as...newsnationnow.comnewsnationnow.comRep. Thomas Massie pushes for House vote to release Jeffrey Epstein files

The Hill and The Independent also highlight coordinated efforts by Massie and other members of Congress to bring survivors to Washington and hold press conferences to raise awareness and pressure for file release.thehill.comthehill.comReps. Ro Khanna, Thomas Massie to bring Epstein abuse survivors to DCindependent.co.ukindependent.co.ukBipartisan group plans to bring Epstein victims to capital to speak out on files...

TIME magazine notes that nearly a dozen House Republicans have joined this initiative, indicating some level of bipartisan support.time.comtime.comThese House Republicans Want the Epstein Files Released

No credible sources contradict this claim or suggest that Massie is not pursuing this course of action. The information is current as of early September 2025, matching the input's temporal context.

Therefore, based on multiple corroborating sources including direct statements from Rep. Massie and reputable news organizations, the claim is verified as true.

Primary trail

Verified Sources7

Reps. Ro Khanna, Thomas Massie to bring Epstein abuse survivors to DC

thehill.com
Open source

House Oversight Committee Is Set to Meet With Accusers of Jeffrey Epstein

nytimes.com
Open source

These House Republicans Want the Epstein Files Released

time.com
Open source
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