The US House plans to force a vote next week to release the Epstein Files, despite Speaker Johnson and Trump's efforts to block it. They have 218 votes, and Speaker Johnson cannot stop it.

Several independent and reputable news outlets report that a bipartisan group of House members, led by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, have secured the necessary 218 signatures to force a discharge petition vote compelling the release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. This procedural move circumvents Speaker Johnson's control over the House floor, effectively limiting his ability to block the vote.

President Donald Trump is reported to be lobbying key Republican members who signed the petition in an effort to prevent the vote, but these efforts appear unlikely to succeed given the number of signatures obtained. The timeline for the vote is imminent, with some sources indicating it could occur within days or weeks. While Speaker Johnson and Trump are working behind the scenes to prevent this vote, their influence is insufficient to stop it once the discharge petition threshold is met.

Earlier attempts by Republicans to delay or block related votes, including calling recesses or voting down amendments, have not prevented this current push. The Senate remains a separate arena where Republicans have blocked similar efforts, but this claim specifically concerns the House of Representatives. Overall, the evidence supports that the House is on track to force a vote next week or soon thereafter despite opposition from Johnson and Trump.