The House just forced action on the Epstein files. Here’s what happens next.

A House push to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein cleared a significant hurdle Nov. 12, as Democrats and a handful of Republicans reached 218 signatures to force a floor vote on a bill to release the files within 30 days.

There’s still a long road ahead.

Republican leaders aligned with President Donald Trump’s wishes by stalling Democrat-backed legislation to release the files. Trump, a onetime friend of Epstein, has faced persistent questions about what the files may show about the two men’s history.

Bill sponsors Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., used an arcane procedural tactic called a discharge petition to secure floor consideration. The move came over the objections from Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other Republican leaders. Johnson has argued that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s ongoing effort is sufficient. The committee has released tranches of emails and other documents related to Epstein, most recently on Nov. 12, a release that included emails from Epstein that discussed Trump.