The success of the forced Epstein files vote is emboldening some Republicans to go it alone

[Uncle Joe]

House Speaker Mike Johnson may want to put the Jeffrey Epstein saga behind him, but some Republicans saw rank-and-file members’ success in forcing Tuesday’s vote as an opportunity to push their own legislative priorities to the floor — even if it doesn’t have leadership’s blessing.

GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has put House Republican leaders on notice that unless they change their approach to a bipartisan bill banning lawmaker stock trading, she will circumvent them using a discharge petition and force a vote herself.

In a recent interview in her office, the Florida Republican told CNN the overwhelming support from lawmakers to release the Jeffrey Epstein files should encourage more members to take advantage of the leadership-bucking tool that made the vote possible.

“I think more members need to use it,” Luna said. “More members need to get outside of this mentality that you have to go and ask for permission from leadership to bring legislation. That’s not why you’re here. And that defeats the purpose of why you call yourself a representative. If you want to be a follower, call yourself a follower of Congress, but not a representative of Congress if you’re not doing your job.”

(snip)

https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/21/politics/discharge-petitions-congress-house

[synni]

1. I love the scent of mutiny in the morning!

[AllaN01Bear]

6. ding, this !!!!!!!!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. We shall see

[nilram]

3. Probably better for both parties

Seems like it would cause bills to be smaller and better focused, which might help the public know more about what's going on.

[JT45242]

4. Only fear is that many on our side won't sign that one

The issue of no stock trades for legislators in the house and Senate, should be a simple anti corruption issue that should get overwhelming support. Still, I would guess that many would not want to give up the options of making extra cash.

[Gimpyknee]

5. I eagerly await her to do so.

[Gaugamela]

7. My sense is that Trump is panicking after the Epstein vote. The Republicans are

smelling blood and weakness, and now Trump fears they could join with Democrats in 2027 and vote to impeach and remove him from office. I’m sure there are many Republicans who recognize that Trump is a huge liability for their party and careers, and would love to be rid of him. There’s safety in numbers.

Judge Merchan never dismissed sentencing for the 34 felony convictions, he just put it on hold while Trump is in office. As soon as he’s out Merchan will haul his decrepit trunk back into court and slap him down so hard he’ll die in prison thinking he’s king of the world.

That’s my pipe dream, anyway.

[Sogo]

8. It seems like this action is the beginning of the end of rigid "sides" in Congress. It will provide more true

representation of the members' constituents and will get rid of members voting as a big block. I like what she's doing.