Epstein Files: 'Proudly Supported' Transparency - But Didn't Sign the Petition or Attend the Wexner Deposition

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 signed: Massie, Greene, Boebert, and Mace. Langworthy was not among them. The bill passed 427-1 only after Trump reversed position.

Then, on February 18, 2026, the House Oversight Committee — on which Langworthy sits — deposed Les Wexner about his ties to Epstein. Zero Republican members attended. Langworthy spent that day on a district-wide funding announcement tour, beginning with a Facebook Live event at Buffalo Niagara Airport at 10:06 AM.

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

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.

The Wexner Deposition (February 18, 2026)

On February 18, 2026, the House Oversight Committee conducted a transcribed deposition of Les Wexner — the billionaire founder of L Brands (Victoria’s Secret) and Epstein’s most prominent financial patron — at Wexner’s mansion in New Albany, Ohio. The deposition lasted approximately five hours.

Key facts about the deposition:

What Wexner testified: According to news reports, Wexner denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, said he was “horrified” when he learned of them, and described Epstein as having “deceived” him. He acknowledged giving Epstein broad power of attorney over his finances.

Republican absence: The absence of all Republican Oversight members was noted in multiple news reports. Committee Republicans did not provide a public explanation for their collective absence. Chairman James Comer had previously expressed support for the Epstein investigation.

Why this matters: In October 2025, Langworthy specifically cited his Oversight Committee work as the reason he did not need to sign the discharge petition:

“I am working with my House Oversight Committee colleagues to conduct the most comprehensive investigation to date.”

When the committee conducted one of its highest-profile depositions — questioning the man who bankrolled Epstein’s operation — Langworthy did not attend.

Fact-Check: His Claims vs. The Record

Questions This Raises

1. If Langworthy “never opposed” release, why didn’t he sign the discharge petition alongside Massie, Greene, Boebert, and Mace?

2. Did the White House pressure campaign influence his decision not to sign?

3. Does voting YES after Trump reversed course — when the bill was guaranteed to pass 427-1 — constitute “proudly supporting” transparency?

4. Why does the letter not mention the discharge petition at all?

5. Langworthy cited his Oversight Committee work as justification for not signing the discharge petition. Why did he not attend the Wexner deposition — one of the committee’s highest-profile Epstein-related proceedings?

6. Zero Republican Oversight members attended the Wexner deposition. Was the absence coordinated, or did each member independently choose not to attend?

7. Langworthy conducted a full-day district funding tour on the day of the deposition. Was this tour scheduled before or after the deposition date was announced?

Sources

Legislative Record:

• Congress.gov: H.R. 4405 legislative record
• White House: Signing statement (November 20, 2025)

Discharge Petition:

• 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)

Wexner Deposition (February 18, 2026):

• CNBC: “Epstein benefactor Les Wexner deposed by congressional committee” (February 18, 2026)
• PBS NewsHour: “House Oversight Committee deposes Les Wexner in Epstein probe” (February 18, 2026)
• Axios: “Wexner deposition marks escalation in Epstein investigation” (February 18, 2026)
• The Hill: “No Republican members attend Wexner deposition” (February 2026)
• Ohio Capital Journal: “Wexner deposed at New Albany mansion” (February 18, 2026)
• Daily Caller: Coverage of Wexner deposition and Republican absence (February 2026)
• Langworthy Facebook Live: Buffalo Niagara Airport funding announcement, 10:06 AM (February 18, 2026)
• Langworthy Facebook post: Dunkirk Conservation Club event (February 18, 2026)

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

There are three parts to this story:

Part 1: The Vote. The Epstein Files bill passed 427-1. Langworthy voted YES — but only after Trump reversed his opposition. The bill reached the floor because of a discharge petition that bypassed leadership. The White House called signing it “a hostile act.” Only 4 Republicans signed. Langworthy did not.

Part 2: The Justification. When asked why he didn’t sign the petition, Langworthy said he was “working with my House Oversight Committee colleagues to conduct the most comprehensive investigation to date.” In other words: he didn’t need to sign the petition because the committee was handling it.

Part 3: The Deposition. On February 18, 2026, that same committee deposed Les Wexner — the billionaire who bankrolled Epstein’s operation for decades. Zero Republican members attended. Langworthy, a sitting Oversight Committee member, spent the day on a district-wide funding announcement tour — posting a Facebook Live from the Buffalo airport at 10:06 AM.

The pattern: Langworthy voted YES when it was safe, cited his committee work to avoid the petition, and then did not show up when the committee questioned Epstein’s most prominent financial patron.

Last updated: February 25, 2026