In response to House Republicans starting the August recess early to avoid votes on the Epstein files, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

“As new reporting reveals that Donald Trump’s name is in the Epstein files ‘multiple times,’ House Republicans are fleeing Washington as fast as they can, capping off a devastating legislative session where they made the largest cuts to health care and food assistance in American history, took an axe to construction jobs, raised energy prices, and put thousands of nursing homes at risk of closure. When they return to their districts, House Republicans should prepare for a rude awakening after putting billionaires and an infamous sex-trafficker before the hardworking Americans that elected them.”

House Republicans are heading back to their districts early, as new reporting finds Donald Trump’s name in the Epstein files “multiple times.” 

Wall Street Journal: “Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files”

“When Justice Department officials reviewed what Attorney General Pam Bondi called a ‘truckload’ of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein earlier this year, they discovered that Donald Trump’s name appeared multiple times, according to senior administration officials. …

“FBI Director Kash Patel has privately told other government officials that Trump’s name appeared in the files, according to people close to the administration.”

Politico: “House Republicans will scrap several votes this week as internal party drama over Jeffrey Epstein derails a key committee that handles legislation on its way to the floor.

“The House Rules Committee came to a standstill Monday night as GOP leaders struggled to contain rank-and-file Republicans and their Democratic allies clamoring for a floor vote to compel the publication of materials related to the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender. …

“That means House members will depart for August recess at the week’s end without being able to vote on legislation that would not otherwise be able to pass on the chamber floor with a simple majority vote, including an immigration-related bill that would increase penalties for individuals who enter the country illegally and a water-permitting measure.”

POLLING: As Republicans scramble to change the narrative, Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of Donald Trump’s handling of the Epstein files AND his billionaire-first budget. 

• An overwhelming majority (69%) of Americans think Trump is hiding information about Epstein 
• 63% of voters disapprove of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files, including Republicans and independents. 
• Only one-quarter of U.S. adults say that Trump’s policies have helped them since he took office.
• 56% of Americans admit that Trump doesn’t understand the problems facing people like them. 
• Roughly 6 in 10 Americans oppose Trump’s billionaire-first budget — his so-called signature accomplishment. 
• A majority (63%) of Americans think Trump hasn’t paid enough attention to the country’s most important issues. 
• Just 4 in 10 American adults approve of Trump’s job performance — a historically weak showing at this point in a presidential term.

REMINDER: If you’re not a billionaire, Trump and his GOP lackeys in Congress are screwing you over. Here’s how: 

💸 Working Americans will lose $1,600 a year while high-earners will see their incomes boosted by $12,000. 

⚡ Americans nationwide will see their energy bill increase by hundreds of dollars, and in some states, costs will increase by as much as 30%.

👨‍🏭 Nearly 2 million construction and 2 million clean energy manufacturing jobs are at risk. Trump and Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and SNAP endanger another 1.2 million jobs.

🏥 17 million Americans could lose health insurance, a whopping 27% of nursing homes could be forced to close their doors, and more than 300 rural hospitals could close.

🍞 More than 22 million working families could lose some or all of their food benefits. 

🧑‍🌾 American farmers will lose an estimated $23 billion in revenue due to SNAP cuts.

🏠 Experts say it is “the most regressive tax and budget law in at least the past 40 years—and possibly ever.”

📉 The SNAP, Medicaid, and energy subsidy cuts alone will reduce the GDP by an estimated $1.1 trillion.

🚀 The deficit will skyrocket by $3.3 trillion, stoking inflation and potentially causing an economic crisis.

🏭And combined with Trump’s reckless trade war, businesses have already lost $56 billion in the six months Trump has been in office.