Garamendi Slams Speaker Johnson for Risking Government Shutdown to Bury Epstein Files
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08) released the following statement in response to Speaker Mike Johnson shutting down the House of Representatives to block a vote on releasing the Epstein files—risking a government shutdown in September:
“House Republicans and Trump are so scared of releasing the Epstein Files that they are shutting down the House of Representatives for more than a month all to avoid a vote that would make this information public,” said Congressman Garamendi.
“Donald Trump campaigned on conspiracy theories and promised to release these files to the public. Now that the Republican Party has caught the car, they are choosing to protect the elite and their own self-interests above the wishes of their voters.
“This move is not only desperate and self-serving, but also deeply irresponsible. Six months into the year, House Republicans have failed to pass a single appropriations bill to fund essential government services.
“Mark this date: September 30th. That’s when the U.S. government runs out of money. Instead of doing their jobs and drafting a budget, Republicans chose to waste time and cover up for Donald Trump and his elite friends.
“If they don’t get their act together, air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and law enforcement officers will be forced to work without pay. It means national parks and museums will close. Social Security assistance, passport processing, and other government services we rely on will be closed. And of course it will cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
“Speaker Johnson could have simply released the Epstein files and kept his promise of a transparent government. Instead, he chose to protect Trump and powerful elites rather than serve the American people and sadly this manufactured crisis will likely have real-work impacts for the people we serve.”
###