Welcome to the NewsHour. Divisions inside the Republican Party about the Justice Department's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein boiled over on Capitol Hill today.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House won't take action before leaving town for the August recess at the end of the week.

The controversy is fracturing the party and renewing calls for transparency.

Our congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardin has more.

At the Capitol, a sudden rush to exit this week.

Speaker Johnson explained why the House is leaving early.

There's no purpose for Congress to push an administration to do something that they're already doing.

But pledges from President Trump and A.G. Pam Bondi to release more information about Jeffrey

Epstein, his alleged sex trafficking organization, and his death have yet to be fulfilled.

Bringing new reminders of Mr. Trump's former friendship with Epstein, Trump has said he knew nothing

of Epstein's alleged crimes.

But this bill from Republican Thomas Massey to release all records while protecting victims'

identities would force a tough vote that the White House does not want now.

The issue ground the House Rules Committee to a halt last night after Democrats tried to force a vote on releasing Epstein information.

We could do it right now.

And now the House will leave early for August recess.

I don't think this issue is going away over August.

Massey, known as a sharp thorn in leadership's side, is blunt.

I mean, people have wanted these files for years.

And then, you know, the president's staff, administration, his own chair. leadership's side is blunt. I mean, people have wanted these files for years.

And then, you know, the president's staff, administration, his own children, his vice president have promised that these files would come out.

And now we're being told it's a hoax.

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