¶ Overview
- Crank claimed he wanted the Epstein Files released, but it took him 11 months to vote to release the Epstein files. In November 2025, Crank finally voted to release the Epstein files, but only after Donald Trump gave House Republicans permission to do so.
- Previously, Crank had cast the deciding vote against releasing the Epstein files, protecting the accused pedophiles named within them. Crank also never signed the discharge petition that called for their release and he never co-sponsored Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna’s resolution calling for their release.
¶ It Took Crank 11 Months To Vote To Release The Epstein Files, And He Did Only After Trump Signaled To House Republicans That He Approved
¶ it took Crank 11 months to vote to release the epstein files and he only did after trump said it was okay for republicans to do so
¶ November 16, 2025: Trump Said House Republicans Should Vote To Release The Epstein Files
HEADLINE: "In A Shift, Trump Says House Republicans Should Vote To Release Epstein Files" [NPR, 11/16/25]
11/16/25: Trump Said House Republicans Should Vote To Release The Epstein Files And That The House Oversight Committee Could Have Whatever It Was Legally Entitled To. According to Trump’s Truth Social post, "As I said on Friday night aboard Air Force One to the Fake News Media, House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat ‘Shutdown.’ The Department of Justice has already turned over tens of thousands of pages to the Public on ‘Epstein,’ are looking at various Democrat operatives (Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, Larry Summers, etc.) and their relationship to Epstein, and the House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE! All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT, which is the Economy, ‘Affordability’ (where we are winning BIG!), our Victory on reducing Inflation from the highest level in History to practically nothing, bringing down prices for the American People, delivering Historic Tax Cuts, gaining Trillions of Dollars of Investment into America (A RECORD!), the rebuilding of our Military, securing our Border, deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens, ending Men in Women’s Sports, stopping Transgender for Everyone, and so much more! Nobody cared about Jeffrey Epstein when he was alive and, if the Democrats had anything, they would have released it before our Landslide Election Victory. Some ‘members’ of the Republican Party are being ‘used,’ and we can’t let that happen. Let’s start talking about the Republican Party’s Record Setting Achievements, and not fall into the Epstein ‘TRAP,’ which is actually a curse on the Democrats, not us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" [Truth Social, @realDonaldTrump, 11/16/25]
¶ November 18, 2025: Crank Voted With Nearly Every Other Member Of The U.S. House To Release The Epstein Files
2025: Crank Voted To Release The Epstein Files. In November 2025, Crank voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the bill that would require the attorney general, within 30 days of the bill's enactment, to make publicly available all Justice Department records, documents, communications and investigation material related to the department’s investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and other individuals or entities associated with Epstein. It would require the DOJ to disclose any immunity deals or plea bargains involving Epstein or his associates. It would allow the Justice Department to withhold or redact certain materials to protect victims' privacy, among other limited exceptions. It also would require the attorney general, within 15 days of making such records public, to submit a report to Congress that includes information on the materials it has released and withheld, a list of any redactions made and the legal justification for doing so, and a list of any government officials and politically exposed persons named in the investigation.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 427 to 1 and it was ultimately signed into law by President Trump. [House Vote 289, 11/18/25; Congressional Quarterly, 11/18/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4405]
- HEADLINE: "Congress Passes Bill To Force The Release Of The Epstein Files" [NBC News, 11/17/25]
- The Justice Department Had 30 Days After Trump Signed The Bill To Release All Unclassified Documents About Jeffrey Epstein. According to the Washington Post, "President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has signed a bill directing the Justice Department to release the Epstein files, documents related to the sprawling sex-trafficking investigation into the onetime powerful financier that are fervently sought by Trump’s political opponents and members of his political base. After Trump’s announcement, made in a social media post, the Justice Department will have 30 days to release all unclassified documents about Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges in 2019 and died in an apparent suicide while in federal custody." [Washington Post, 11/19/25]
- Speaker Johnson Sent The House Home A Day Early In July To Avoid A Vote On The Release Of The Files. According to ABC News, “House Speaker Mike Johnson had tried to avoid holding a vote in the lower chamber on the Epstein matter. In late July, Johnson sent the House home a day early for August recess because the House was paralyzed in a stalemate over the Epstein issue.” [ABC News, 11/18/25]
- Speaker Johnson Expressed Opposition To The Process, Saying He Was “Deeply Disappointed” In The Outcome. According to NBC News, “Even after having voted for the bill, Johnson was still fuming over the process hours later. Returning to the Capitol from a White House dinner honoring Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Johnson said, ‘I'm deeply disappointed in this outcome,’ and he lamented that ‘Chuck Schumer rushed it to the floor.’ Senate Majority John Thune, R-S.D., didn't object, despite being aware of Johnson's concerns. Johnson said he was continuing to have conversations with Trump about those issues. ‘I'm frustrated with the process,’ he said, ‘but I trust Leader Thune.’” [NBC News, 11/17/25]
- Republican Rep. Clay Higgins Was The Only Member Of Congress Who Voted Against A Discharge Petition That Called To Release The Epstein Files. According to NBC News, "Congress voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to pass legislation to compel the Justice Department to release its records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a major victory for lawmakers in both parties who've been leading the push for months. As the final vote tally in the House, 427-1, was read, several Epstein survivors who were sitting in the gallery embraced one another and loud cheers went up through the chamber. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., was the only lawmaker to vote no." [NBC News, 11/17/25]
¶ Crank Faced Pushback From His Constituents To Support A Discharge Petition To Force The Release Of The Epstein Files, But Claimed He Opposed The Concept Of Discharge Petitions
HEADLINE: “El Paso County Billboard Calls For Release Of Epstein Files, Targets Rep. Jeff Crank” [KOAA, 10/30/25]
HEADLINE: “Local Family Of Epstein Survivor Urges Congressman Crank To Support Bill” [KOAA, 9/24/25]
October 2025: Crank Agreed That The Epstein Files Needed To Be Released But Said He Opposed Discharge Petitions And Would Not Sign One. According to KOAA, "‘There are some people who I believe for political purposes are trying to use this to say ‘Well you know, what if Donald Trump's name is in there?’ Crank said. ‘Well, if anybody's name is in there, the president or anybody else, it should be released.’ Crank said he never signs onto a discharge petition, despite the public pressure for him to do so. ‘I don't sign discharge petitions on anything. I've never signed one. And I won't say I'll never do it, but it would take a lot to get me to sign one,’ he said. ‘Because essentially a discharge petition hands control of Congress to the minority party. When you're in the majority party, you don't hand that to them.’" [KOAA, 10/30/25]
¶ crank never signed the discharge petition to release the epstein files that eventually made its way to the house floor
Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, And Marjorie Taylor Greene Were The Only Other Republicans To Sign Thomas Massie’s Discharge Petition To Get A House Floor Vote On Releasing The Epstein Files.
[Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, Discharge Petition No. 9, 9/2/25]
¶ Crank never co-sponsored legislation that called for the epstein files to be released
As Of January 8, 2026, Crank Was Not Listed As A Co-Sponsor On Rep. Thomas Massie’s Legislation That Called To Release The Epstein Files.
[U.S. House of Representatives, H.Res.581, Introduced 7/15/25]
- H.Res.581 Called On The Justice Department To Release All Unclassified Documents That Related To Jeffrey Epstein Or Ghislaine Maxwell. According to Congress.gov, H.Res.581 would, "This resolution provides a special rule for consideration of H.R. 185 and amends that bill to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make publicly available certain records related to Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. Under H.R. 185, as amended by the resolution, DOJ must publicly disclose all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in its possession that relate to Epstein or Maxwell. The records include unclassified records referring or relating to Epstein's detention and death; flight logs of aircraft owned or used by Epstein; individuals named in connection with Epstein’s criminal activities, civil settlements, or immunity or plea agreements; immunity deals, sealed settlements, or plea bargains of Epstein or his associates; entities with ties to Epstein’s trafficking or financial networks; and internal Department of Justice communications concerning decisions to investigate or charge Epstein or his associates. However, under the amended bill, DOJ may withhold or redact portions of records with written justification that such portions contain (1) victims' personally identifiable information; (2) child sexual abuse materials; (3) images of death, physical abuse, or injury; (4) information which would jeopardize an active federal investigation or prosecution; or (5) classified information. DOJ may not withhold or redact records on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity. Further, within 15 days of completing the required disclosures, DOJ must provide Congress with a report listing all categories of records released and withheld, all redactions made and their legal basis, and all government officials and politically exposed persons named or referenced in the released materials." [U.S. House of Representatives, H.Res.581, Introduced 7/15/25]
¶ Crank had previously voted to protect the accused pedophiles named within the epstein files
¶ September 2025: Crank Effectively Voted Against Releasing The Epstein Files
2025: Crank Effectively Voted Against Releasing The Epstein Files. In September 2025, Crank voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “adoption of the rule [that] […] would consider as adopted a resolution (H Res 668) that would direct the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to continue its ongoing inquiry into the possible mismanagement of the federal government's investigation of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death in federal custody, sex trafficking rings and potential ethics violations by elected officials. […] It also would table a rule (H Res 598) that would provide for the adoption of a resolution (H Res 589) concerning the release of certain documents related to the Epstein case.” The vote was on the rule. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 212 to 208. [House Vote 222, 9/3/25; Congressional Quarterly, 9/3/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 672]
- Representatives Massie And Khanna Introduced A Discharge Petition To Force A Vote On The Release Of The Files With Four Republicans Signed On To It As Of Mid-September. According to NBC News, “In the House, the ‘discharge petition’ to force a vote on the Massie-Khanna legislation is on track to succeed. It has 216 signatures — including all Democrats and four Republicans — and needs just two more. Those two are expected to arrive this month in the form of a newly elected Democrat in a Virginia special election and another safe blue seat in Arizona that will get a special election in late September. Massie told NBC News on Tuesday that the four Republicans who have signed on are solidly behind the effort and won’t bow to pressure to remove their names. He said other GOP lawmakers have signaled to him they are open to signing the petition but prefer not to get crosswise with Trump or party leaders publicly if their votes aren't needed to pass it. [NBC News, 9/10/25]
¶ August 2025: Crank Claimed He Supported Transparency And Accountability With Respect To The Jeffrey Epstein, But Did Not Answer If He Would Support A Bill To Release All Unclassified Documents Related To Epstein
Crank Claimed He Supported Full Transparency And Accountability Regarding Epstein Though Would Not Commit To Supporting A Bill For The Government To Release All Epstein Related Documents. According to KOAA, " Standing outside Congressman Jeff Crank’s Colorado Springs Office Wednesday afternoon, Sky Roberts and his wife Amanda urged the congressman to support a bill that would release all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein is the financier who was a convicted sex offender and was accused of sex trafficking young girls. Girls like Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Sky Roberts’ sister. Roberts and his wife Amanda live in Colorado Springs. […] News5 reached out to Congressman Crank who sent a quote saying ‘I have supported transparency and accountability regarding the business dealings, investigation, and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein. The American people deserve transparency into Epstein’s dealings, and I support the release of all documents that shed light on what occurred, while protecting the identity of the victims.’ A follow-up question over email on whether that means he will support the bill went unanswered Wednesday night." [KOAA, 8/24/25]
¶ July 2025: Crank Called For The Trump Administration To Be Transparent About Releasing The Epstein Files, Then Cast The Deciding Vote Against Releasing The Epstein Files
¶ The Week Before He Voted Against Releasing The Epstein Files, Crank Called On The Trump Administration To Be Transparent About The Epstein Files
HEADLINE: "Jeff Crank And Lauren Boebert Vote Against Releasing Epstein Files After Calling For Transparency" [Colorado Times Recorder, 7/16/25]
July 2025: Crank Called For President Trump And Attorney General Pam Bondi To Be Transparent About The Epstein Files And “Let The Chips Fall Where They May.” According to the Colorado Times Recorder, "Last week, Congressman Jeff Crank (R-CO) told a radio show host he wanted to see transparency in the Epstein case. Yesterday, he, along with the rest of Colorado’s Republican delegation, voted against making those files public. […] When asked for his thoughts on the matter, Crank said: ‘Well, I mean, look, when you say you’re going to be transparent, you should be transparent. The president was very clear, and I think the president has been the most transparent president, right?’ Crank hypothesized that there were innocent people who flew on Epstein’s plane who didn’t want their reputations damaged, who put pressure on the administration not to release any files. ‘What I would say to the president is, ‘Look, you said you were going to be transparent on this. Pam Bondi said she was going to be transparent. Just be transparent, let the chips fall where they may,’ Crank added. ‘If somebody’s name is on [the list], their name is on it, and they have to defend themselves.’" [Colorado Times Recorder, 7/16/25]
¶ 7/15/25: Crank Was The Deciding Vote Against Releasing The Epstein Files
HEADLINE: "House GOP Blocks Second Dem Attempt To Release Epstein Files" [Axios, 7/15/25]
2025: Crank Voted To Block The Release Of The Epstein Files. In July 2025, Crank voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to order the previous question on the rule (H Res 580) providing for floor consideration of the fiscal 2026 Defense appropriations bill (HR 4016), the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act (HR 1919), the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (HR 3633) and the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act (S 1582).” The vote was on the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 211 to 210. [House Vote 194, 7/15/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/25; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 580]
- The Vote Served As A Referendum With Its Passage Blocking Consideration Of Representative Khanna’s Amendment To Require Release Of The Epstein Files. According to Politico, “Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) had slightly more success mounting an effort to amend cryptocurrency-related legislation scheduled to hit the House floor later this week to compel the release of Epstein-related files. Democrats forced a Rules Committee vote on whether to allow a floor vote on Khanna’s amendment; Republicans voted it down, though one Rules member in their ranks, Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, crossed party lines. On the floor Tuesday afternoon, House Democrats attempted to cast a procedural vote as a referendum on releasing the so-called Epstein files. Had their effort to vote down the motion succeeded, they said, they would have moved forward with Khanna’s amendment. But the ‘previous question’ vote, which hasn’t been won by the House minority since 1988, prevailed 211-210 on party lines.” [Politico, 7/15/25]
¶ If One “Aye” Vote Had Switched To A “No” Vote In House Vote 194, The Measure Being Considered Would Have Failed Instead Of Passing
The Measure Considered In House Vote 194 Passed With 211 “Ayes” And 210 “Nos,” Which Meant If One Aye Vote Had Switched To A No Vote The Measure Would Have Instead Failed.
[House Vote 194, 7/15/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/15/25; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 580]