Speaker Mike Johnson is making a hard sell for the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal as he tries to sidestep yet another rank-and-file revolt. This afternoon, Johnson sharply criticized Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky.) discharge petition to release the Justice Department’s Epstein files after a meeting with victims of the late financier. Instead, Johnson is pitching a bill up for a vote this week directing Oversight to continue its investigation into the case. Johnson called Massie’s effort a “moot point” in light of Oversight’s efforts.

June 26, 2025

Johnson doles out checks at Capitol Hill Club event

News: Speaker Mike Johnson hosted an event Tuesday in which he distributed $6.5 million in campaign checks to House Republican incumbents.

The checks came from Johnson’s Grow the Majority joint fundraising committee. And the average check size was $213,000 – not a small chunk of change.

Members who picked up checks at the Capitol Hill Club event included: GOP Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Derrick Van Orden (Wis.), Ken Calvert (Calif.), Nick Begich (Alaska), Gabe Evans (Colo.), Mike Lawler (N.Y.), Tom Barrett (Mich.), Tom Kean (N.J.), Young Kim (Calif.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa);

Zach Nunn (Iowa), Dave Schweikert (Ariz.), Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.), Rob Bresnahan (Pa.), Don Bacon (Neb.), Nick LaLota (N.Y.), Juan Ciscomani (Ariz.), Scott Perry (Pa.), Jen Kiggans (Va.), Eli Crane (Ariz.), David Valadao (Calif.) and Jeff Hurd (Colo.).

Johnson announced earlier this week that he would transfer $17.5 million to House Republicans this quarter. Johnson has sent more than $10.5 million to incumbents through his JFC, which his team says is the most ever for a GOP speaker through two quarters. Johnson has given $14 million to the NRCC so far this cycle.

- Jake Sherman