¶ Overview
When it came to releasing the Epstein files, Perry was all talk until Trump signaled it was okay for House Republicans to do more than just talk. Perry had initially come out strongly in support of releasing the Epstein files. He said the American people deserved to know what was in them and they should be released “immediately.” He agreed that the federal government should not be protecting Jeffrey Epstein and that it was taking too long to release information. Except, in July, Perry cast the deciding vote against releasing the Epstein files, protecting the accused pedophiles named within them.
He then tried to claim that congress getting involved in the release of the Epstein files would make things go slower. Perry never signed the discharge petition that called for their release and never co-sponsored Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna’s resolution calling for their release.
Finally, in November 2025, after 11 months, Perry finally voted to release the Epstein files, but only after Donald Trump gave House Republicans permission to do so.
¶ Perry, Who Vocally Advocated For Their Release, Took 11 Months To Vote To Release The Epstein Files And Only After Trump Signaled It Was Okay
¶ It Took Perry 11 Months to Vote to Release the Epstein Files and He only Did After Trump Gave Republican Permission
¶ 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 17, 2025: Perry Voted With Nearly Every Other Member Of The U.S. House To Release The Epstein Files
2025: Perry Voted To Release The Epstein Files. In November 2025, Perry 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 472 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]
¶ Perry Had Claimed He Was a Vocal Advocate of Releasing the Epstein Files “Immediately”
Perry Urged The Justice Department To Release The Epstein Files “Immediately.” According to an interview Rep. Scott Perry gave on the Chris Stigall Show, "HOST: Scott, I've got about a minute, and I know it's tight, but the Epstein stuff. PERRY: Yeah. HOST: Massie and Khanna say they're going to hold a presser, I guess, next month with some of Epstein's victims to draw attention to this. Trump has asked for all this to be unsealed. Two Obama judges now have said no. What more can Trump do here? PERRY: Trump is the ultimate declassifier. He is the classification authority. The president is the classification authority. He doesn't have to listen to the judges. He can just declassify and he should. Now, I don't know if it's classified or if it's just sensitive. I don't know what the, what the, judge's, what the reasoning. If it's just embarrassing information, embarrassing information to individuals or the government is not a reason for information to be withheld. And so I would urge the president, Pam Bondi, whoever's got it, I don't have it. I don't know who has it at this point, whoever has it, to get it out there. The American people deserve to know whether it's something, whether it's nothing, whether we can't draw conclusions from it, whatever. But we deserve to know what our government was involved with that allowed this Jeffrey Epstein monster to do the things he did. What were we getting in return for, for allowing him to do that, and were we allowing him to do that, or was that just a fantasy that we concocted based on the information we saw where he kept on seemed to get away with it over and over again. But the point is, the American people deserve to know that. And so I would urge it to come out immediately." [The Chris Stigall Show, 8/12/25] (audio)
- Perry On The Epstein Files: “I've Never Changed My Position. I Think, Look, The American People Deserve To Know What Happened There.” According to an interview Rep. Scott Perry gave on the Dom Giordano Program, "HOST: Absolutely. Well, to this criticism of too pro-Trump, you have been one of the leaders in asking for full transparency around Epstein. And I think that is the position I would hope in central Pennsylvania that people support. PERRY: I agree. I've never changed my position. I think, look, the American people deserve to know what happened there. And I'm not saying that I know what happened here, but here's what we know. Epstein is dead. And, you know, he's accused of child trafficking and other horrific things. Ghislaine Maxwell is in jail. This billionaire that flew around that had acquaintances with a lot of people and allegedly had all these young girls and boys at this island or whatever, and all these other people came, but yet no one else did anything wrong. And of course, the implication is, is that he's being shielded or had been shielded by the government because the government was involved. And I think the American people have the right to know whether their government was involved in something so horrific and so indescribably bad as that. And what was, but what was the other side of that equation, if we were willing to look the other way as a government on those kinds of activities, what were we getting in return? And who was, you know, who allowed that? Who approved that? Who was involved in that? I think those are reasonable questions. And look, if there's no proof of any of that, then I think we'll all shut up and go home. Right. But but don't just tell us, hey, there's nothing to see here. Like, you know we will decide what our eyes can see." [The Dom Giordano Program, 8/1/25] (audio)
Perry Complained That The Federal Government Had Taken Too Long On Releasing The Epstein Files And He Was “Not Satisfied At All.” According to an interview Rep. Scott Perry gave on the Dom Giordano Show, "HOST: Talking with Congressman Scott Perry. Congressman, final question, a lot this week. I really like Kash Patel. Dan Bongino, I know a bit, I’ve interviewed he’s talk radio fraternity like him a lot, too. They talked about the FBI going to release some January 6th stuff and they also took a definitive stance on Epstein. Either you or your constituents, do you sense are you satisfied so far? There's some grumbling not enough has been released. We haven't gone quickly enough. PERRY: I am not satisfied at all and I'll be one of the grumblers. It's taken way too long and I am still not satisfied at all with the Epstein case and I'm not an expert, so I would, you know, I'm going to give them some deference here. Some, but I will tell you, I'm going to be critical and certainly suspicious of their claim. I mean, I listen to people like Dr. Bots, and I think he has a different viewpoint on this. But I would put it this way. I think that we should be able to see what they saw that changed their mind about the outcome regarding Epstein and it's been six months. Let's get the January 6th stuff out. What are we waiting for? Let's go." [The Dom Giordano Show, 5/30/25] (audio)
Perry On The Epstein Files: “I Don't Think Anybody Is Doing Their Best To Quickly Get The Information Completely. […] I Think Everybody's Doing Their Best To Make Sure The Information Isn't Out.” According to an interview Rep. Scott Perry gave on the Benny Show, "BENNY JOHNSON: You've, you’ve brought up Epstein, which is sort of the magic word, right, to get people very upset online. Final question for you. What's your… game theory this for us. Sources that we have the FBI telling us that they have a large amount of evidence that hasn't been released to the public and that they're doing their best to try and go through it and release it. What's your take on like this entire saga? Because it does seem like there is a opportunity for people to lose faith, right? That they're getting full transparency. And more importantly, what is constantly being asked by our show is why would you protect pederasts? It doesn’t make any sense. if there's one people to like to let them burn in hell? It's the pederast, right? Like, so out with it, right? And then handcuffs for the people that were involved. But… PERRY: Yeah, I don't think we, I don't think anybody is doing their best to quickly get the information completely. I don't think. I think everybody's doing their best to make sure the information isn't out. And look, maybe there are national security implications and as a guy who's worked in that arena a little bit. I certainly can understand that. Then tell the American people what was so important, what was so sensitive that it was worth keeping a pedophile and a pedophile operation on the books for years…. [AD BREAK] …and allowing the abuse of minors around the globe to be involved. Tell us what was so important to protect. Was it nuclear war with some country like with the chemical warfare inside? What was it that we are now protecting? But we could be understanding if if the risk was worth the cost. I say that kind of tongue in cheek, because these are children and I really can't be understanding. But at least try, at least try to make it. You know, to work the equation out for the American people." [The Benny Show, 4/11/25] (audio)
¶ Perry Agreed The Federal Government Should Not Be Protecting Jeffrey Epstein
Perry Agreed The Federal Government Should Not Be Protecting Jeffrey Epstein. According to an interview Rep. Scott Perry gave on the Benny Show, “HOST: Yes, exactly. And the federal government shouldn't be protecting Jeffrey Epstein. They shouldn’t be… PERRY: Indeed. Indeed. Yes, yes. Let's know all the answers. Right?” [The Benny Show, 2/6/25] (audio)
¶ But Perry 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]
¶ And Perry Never Co-Sponsored Legislation that Called for The Epstein Files to Be Released
As Of November 25, 2025, Perry Was Not Listed As A Co-Sponsored 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]
¶ And When It Came up On the House Floor Previously, Perry Voted Twice Against Releasing the Epstein Files
¶ September 2025: Perry Voted Against Releasing The Epstein Files
2025: Perry Effectively Voted Against Releasing The Epstein Files. In September 2025, Perry 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]
¶ July 2025: Perry Was The Deciding Vote Against Releasing The Epstein Files
2025: Perry Voted To Block The Release Of The Epstein Files. In July 2025, Perry 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 on 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 Rep. Ro Khanna’s Maneuver Had Been Successful It Would Have Set Aside The House Republican Majority’s Agenda For The Day In Favor Of Considering Khanna’s Legislation. According to Axios, "What happened: The House voted 211-210 against allowing a House vote on Rep. Ro Khanna's (D-Calif.) measure to force the DOJ to publish the Epstein files online within 30 days. Democrats' procedural motion would have scuttled the GOP's legislative agenda for the day in favor of the Khanna bill, making it difficult for Republicans to vote for it. The vote fell along party lines, with all Democrats who were present voting for their party's maneuver and all Republicans voting against it. It came after Republicans on the House Rules Committee voted Monday night against attaching the Epstein language to a broader cryptocurrency and defense funding vote." [Axios, 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]
¶ At One Point Perry Even Claimed Congress Getting Involved in Releasing the Epstein Files Would Make Things Go Slower
Perry Claimed Congress Getting Involved In Releasing The Epstein Files Would “Make This Thing Go Slower.” According to an interview Rep. Scott Perry gave on the RJ Harris Show, "PERRY: And we're pretty sure it involves, obviously, more than Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. So come on, tell us who it does involve. Tom, my concern is, is that this thing is going to get mired up in Congress because everything else does. And, you know, we're just going to be dragging our feet along as we revictimize the victims and we don't come out with the information on people that are culpable. The people that are culpable that's the DOJ's job to investigate. And if they find they're culpable, then indict them. Then at least look, you still have to be proven guilty, but at least the American people. Okay, I see this person and that person were involved at this level. We get that. But right now, you know, what we're doing in the Oversight Committee, because that's where it's come to. And of course, I'm a member of the committee, is we're releasing these documents, which is good. But, Tom, they're all redacted, which is not good because it doesn't tell you anything. So, you know, the American people are not going to stand for this like shell game. And this. HOST: That's what it feels like yeah. PERRY: Yeah. This, this footsie that we're all playing. And so… HOST: So you're saying maybe a way to do it is one name at a time and bring them up?PERRY: Well, I think the thing is, is that Congress, look, we can do the investigation, but we can't, we have no powers of enforcement and we can refer charges to the DOJ, which we should and can do. But my goodness, the DOJ, which is, look, the DOJ's known this for how many years now? You know, I requested the subpoenas of all the attorneys general since this started, subpoena all those people. And Loretta Lynch is literally coming in, I think, tomorrow. Bill Barr has already been in. But what takes so long to do this investigation? And if you can find something, then, you know, on somebody, then indict them and let's get going. But I just feel like this congressional step is just another, you know, cog in the wheel that's just going to make this thing slower. We have the power, the federal government has the power right now to enforce the law. Why aren't we doing it?" [The RJ Harris Breakfast Show, 9/8/25] (audio)