Epstein Files: 'Proudly Supported' Transparency - But Didn't Sign the Petition That Forced the Vote
Why This Matters for NY-23
When a constituent asks about government transparency, they deserve a complete answer. Langworthy says he “never opposed” releasing Epstein files and “proudly supported” the bill. But his letter doesn’t mention that he refused to sign the discharge petition that actually forced the vote — a petition the White House called “a hostile act.” Only 4 Republicans had the courage to sign: Massie, Greene, Boebert, and Mace. Langworthy wasn’t among them. The bill passed 427-1 only after Trump reversed position.
Statement
Source: Constituent Letter Response, January 14, 2026
“I want to begin by stating that Jeffrey Epstein was a disgusting individual, and I support full transparency and accountability regarding the Epstein files. I have never opposed the release of the documents since Epstein’s 2019 suicide…”
“To that end, I proudly supported the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) when this legislation passed the House on November 18, 2025.”
Congressional Record
H.R. 4405 Final Passage:
- House passed: November 18, 2025 (427-1)
- Senate passed: November 19, 2025 (unanimous consent)
- Trump signed: November 19, 2025 (Public Law 119-38)
- Langworthy vote: YES
- Source: Congress.gov, White House Statement
Discharge Petition (Sept 2 - Nov 12, 2025):
- Filed by: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)
- Required signatures: 218 (majority of House)
- Republican signers: ONLY 4 - Massie, Greene, Boebert, Mace
- Langworthy signature: DID NOT SIGN
- Source: CBS News, TIME Magazine, Rep. Pat Ryan Press Release
The Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | H.R. 4405 introduced by Reps. Khanna (D-CA) & Massie (R-KY) |
| July 7, 2025 | AG Bondi announces DOJ will release no more files |
| July 12, 2025 | Trump defends Bondi, calls Epstein “somebody nobody cares about” |
| July 16, 2025 | Trump calls Epstein files “a big hoax” |
| Sept 2, 2025 | Massie files discharge petition to force House vote |
| Sept 2025 | White House official: signing petition is “a very hostile act to the administration” |
| Sept 26, 2025 | Rep. Pat Ryan calls out NY Republicans by name - including LANGWORTHY - for NOT signing petition |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Petition reaches 218 signatures (214 Democrats + 4 Republicans) |
| Nov 17, 2025 | Trump REVERSES position, says he’ll sign bill |
| Nov 18, 2025 | House votes 427-1 - Langworthy votes YES |
| Nov 19, 2025 | Senate passes, Trump signs into law |
What the Letter Omits
Langworthy’s stated reason for not signing the petition (Erie News Now, October 2025):
“I wholeheartedly support justice and complete transparency for the Epstein victims, which is why, in addition to co-sponsoring and voting for the full release of grand jury testimony, I am working with my House Oversight Committee colleagues to conduct the most comprehensive investigation to date.”
The problem: The Oversight Committee approach allowed leadership to delay indefinitely. The discharge petition actually forced a vote - over administration opposition that Langworthy did not defy.
Fact-Check: His Claims vs. The Record
| Langworthy’s Claim | The Record | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| “I have never opposed the release” | Voted NO on July 14 amendment; did NOT sign discharge petition | MISLEADING |
| “I proudly supported H.R. 4405” | Did NOT sign petition that forced the vote; voted YES only after Trump reversed | MISSING CONTEXT |
| “The Epstein case should never be politicized” | White House called the discharge petition “a hostile act to the administration” | IRONIC |
Questions This Raises
If Langworthy “never opposed” release, why didn’t he sign the discharge petition alongside Massie, Greene, Boebert, and Mace?
Did the White House pressure campaign influence his decision not to sign?
Does voting YES after Trump reversed course - when the bill was guaranteed to pass 427-1 - constitute “proudly supporting” transparency?
Why does the letter not mention the discharge petition at all?
Sources
- Congress.gov: H.R. 4405 legislative record
- White House: Signing statement (November 20, 2025)
- Rep. Pat Ryan: Press release naming NY Republicans who refused to sign (September 26, 2025)
- Erie News Now: Langworthy statement on petition (October 2025)
- CBS News: “Epstein discharge petition secures final signature” (November 13, 2025)
- TIME Magazine: “Which House Republicans Helped Force a Vote on Epstein Files” (November 13, 2025)
- NBC News: “Congress passes bill to force release of Epstein files” (November 20, 2025)
Related: Epstein Files: Voting Against Transparency, Then Claiming to Support It (July 2025 fact-check)
Note: This entry documents publicly available information from official congressional records and news reports. Readers may draw their own conclusions.
Research contribution: Constituent submission via LangworthyWatch
In Plain Language
The Epstein Files bill passed 427-1. Langworthy voted YES. Sounds like strong support, right?
Here’s what his letter doesn’t tell constituents:
- The bill only came to a vote because of a discharge petition that bypassed leadership
- A White House official called signing the petition “a very hostile act to the administration”
- Only 4 Republicans signed: Massie, Greene, Boebert, Mace
- Langworthy did not sign
- Rep. Pat Ryan publicly called him out by name for refusing to sign
- The bill passed only after Trump reversed his position
“Proudly supporting” a bill that passes 427-1 after your party’s president says it’s okay is different from signing a petition to force a vote when the administration opposes it. The letter omits the petition entirely.
Last updated: January 20, 2026