The shutdown has delayed scheduled hearings in the case.
The government shutdown is delaying proceedings in Congress’ investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, affecting a measure to require the release of files in the possession of the federal government and holding up testimony from key figures.
Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has kept the House of Representatives out of session for two weeks and counting as part of his party’s strategy to pressure Senate Democrats into voting for their resolution to fund the government.
That has slowed down the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the late pedophile and held a petition demanding the release of the files at bay.
Bill and Hillary Clinton were expected to testify before the panel over the past few weeks but have yet to appear.
And Johnson has declined to swear into office Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona who would be the crucial 218th vote on a discharge petition from Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie that would demand a vote on the release of the government’s Epstein files.
Republicans on the Oversight panel argue there are no delays and the Clintons will eventually appear.
“There are no delays and the postponement of the depositions has nothing to do with the government shutdown. We are in communication with the Clintons’ attorneys to schedule their appearance before the Committee,” a spokesperson for the Republicans on the committee told the Miami Herald.
Both Clintons were subpoenaed in early August by Republicans. Hillary Clinton had been expected to testify on Oct. 9 and Bill Clinton was scheduled for Tuesday.
Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s private jet and was one of many figures who contributed a message to a “birthday book” for him. The former president has said he wishes he had never met Epstein.
A spokesperson for the Clintons didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Democrats on the panel fault the Republicans and the shutdown for the delay.
“House Republicans would rather keep our government shut down than further this Epstein investigation,” said Sara Guerrero, a spokesperson for Oversight Committee Democrats.
