WASHINGTON DC- Republicans in the House of Representatives blocked an attempt to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files on July 15. The final vote was 211 to 210. Nine Republicans abstained from the vote.

Democrats tried to force a vote on releasing the files, after Republicans struck down an amendment in the House Rules committee on July 14. The procedural maneuver, which would have triggered a vote on the amendment requiring Trump’s Justice Department to release the Epstein files within 30 days, was rejected yet again, with a 211 to 210 vote.

Rep. Scott Franklin was one of the votes against the measure. Rep. Franklin represents Florida’s 18^th district, which includes Okeechobee, Glades, and Hendry County. Rep. Brian Mast also voted against it. Rep. Mast’s  21^st district contains Martin, Palm Beach, and St Lucie County.

The FBI and the Justice Department announced on July 7 that their investigation concluded Epstein died by suicide. The agencies provided a link to video footage from the common area of the Special Housing Unit where Epstein was housed at the time of his death, though, based on time stamps, the footage appeared to be missing a minute.

The DOJ also announced that there was no incriminating “client list” and that they found no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions.

President Trump has downplayed the uproar over the Jeffery Epstein sex trafficking case. Speaking to reporters on July 15 he called the case “pretty boring” and said he didn’t see the fascination with it. While taking questions in the Oval Office on July 16, President Trump referred to the Epstein files as “the Epstein Hoax”.

“I call it the Epstein hoax,” said President Trump. “They’re talking about a guy who died three or four years ago. They want to talk about the Epstein hoax. I’d rather talk about the success we’ve had.”

President Trump has called his supporters "weaklings" for talking about Epstein.