GOP Speaker Mike Johnson Claims He Is ‘Deeply Disappointed’ After Senate Races Epstein Files Bill

The Senate moved fast and passed the Epstein disclosure bill without the changes House Speaker Mike Johnson wanted. That left him sounding frustrated and out of step.

Johnson told reporters, “I am deeply disappointed in this outcome.” He said he had been told the Senate rushed the bill. He added, “I think I’ve been at the state dinner, I don’t know. I was just told that [Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer rushed it to the floor and put it out there preemptively. It needed amendments. I just spoke to the president about that. We’ll see what happens.”

Those words made him sound unprepared.

House conservatives had pushed for added protections for victims and whistleblowers. Johnson said those changes mattered. He said he had hoped the Senate would take care of them.

But Senate leaders said their legal team had reviewed the bill and found it ready. They did not want to slow it down. That left Johnson looking like the only one still asking for more time.

Johnson also refused to say if he might try to stop the measure with a presidential veto. When asked, he said, “I’m not saying that, I don’t know.” He added, “We both have concerns about it, so we’ll see.”

Meanwhile the House had already forced the bill forward. Representative Thomas Massie used a rare rule to push the measure to a vote. The House then approved it by 427 to 1. That huge number sent a clear message. Lawmakers from both parties wanted the documents public.

Only one senator even paused to ask for more work. Senator Markwayne Mullin briefly questioned whether the bill needed last minute tweaks “to protect the victims.” That pause did not last. The Senate moved on.

This whole episode shows two things. First, GOP leaders struggle to control their own members. Johnson tried to lead a hold up. His plan failed. Second, the push for transparency won out over political maneuvers.

The Epstein files matter. They contain thousands of pages and could touch many powerful people. For years, families and advocates asked for more openness. Lawmakers in both parties finally answered.

Now the bill moves forward. The Justice Department will face the task of releasing files. There will be fights about redactions and privacy. There will be new headlines and more pressure.

Featured image via X screengrab