Victims of Jeffrey Epstein will be returning to Capitol Hill next week, hosted by a bipartisan group of lawmakers advocating for the release of government files on the sex offender. Representatives Thomas Massie, Ro Khanna, and Marjorie Taylor Greene are organizing an event to garner support for a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures to force a vote. While the petition currently has 217 signatures, the swearing-in of Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, expected to provide the decisive 218th endorsement, is delayed due to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to perform the ceremony during pro forma sessions. Furthermore, speculation that the House’s return to Washington may be delayed further complicates the timeline.
Read More
During a press conference held by Jeffrey Epstein’s victims on Capitol Hill, a White House-organized flyover briefly interrupted the event. This flyover, intended to honor a fallen Polish air force pilot, coincided with the victims sharing their accounts, including survivor Chauntae Davies’ statements about Epstein’s close relationship with Donald Trump, which was a point of pride for him. As the planes performed ceremonial maneuvers, Davies was forced to pause her statements about Epstein’s friendship with Trump, who was simultaneously meeting with the President of Poland. Trump later dismissed the ongoing focus on the Epstein files as a “Democratic hoax.”
Read More
The shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sparked a complex response on Capitol Hill. While many lawmakers unequivocally condemned the murder, some progressive Democrats acknowledged the underlying public anger towards the healthcare system, viewing the incident as a symptom of widespread frustration with its inaccessibility and financial burdens. These lawmakers argued that addressing this anger requires a simultaneous condemnation of violence and a serious discussion of healthcare reform. Others, however, focused solely on condemning the act of violence, avoiding any discussion of broader healthcare issues.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker