Rep. Erin Houchin, a Republican from Salem, helped defeat a measure in the House Rules Committee on Monday to force the Department of Justice to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The first amendment, introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), would have required the Epstein files to be released to the public immediately. Khanna wrote that the amendment was a matter of government accountability.
“This is a question of trust. We need to release the Epstein files so we can restore government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” the proposed amendment read.
The amendment failed in a 7-5 vote. One Republican, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), joined Democrats in voting yes.
Houchin’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) expressed disbelief at Republican opposition to the amendment.
“Is there anything that needs to be hidden? If there isn't, then just release the files,” she said. “Every Republican on this committee should be able to easily vote yes.”
Following the failure of the first proposal, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) proposed a second resolution that would urge the Trump Administration to release the Epstein files and report on any delays or destruction of evidence. The amendment would have also reaffirmed Congress’s authority to conduct executive oversight.
It also failed in an 8-4 party-line vote with Houchin again voting no.
Houchin did not speak during debates, but other Republicans defended their opposition to the amendments by arguing they were unrelated to the bill under discussion.
Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) said the amendment was only allowed to be introduced because of a reference to the Department of Justice in a separate bill. He said the reasoning was overly broad.
“Everything in the kitchen sink can be added in,” he said. “The American people understand that doesn't make this the proper venue and this doesn't make this the proper time to do it.”
McGovern argued the resolution was valid under House rules, saying the bill was already combining unrelated legislation on defense appropriations and cryptocurrency regulations.