Andy Barr Refused To Sign The Epstein Files Petition And Called The Effort A “Distraction”
A one-word answer, and the statement that followed.
By Barr Record editorial team · Published August 18, 2026 · Last reviewed August 18, 2026 · 2 min read
What to know
- Barr said he did not intend to sign the petition.
- He described giving floor time to the effort as a distraction.
The Lexington Herald-Leader asked Kentucky's members whether they would sign Rep. Thomas Massie's petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Barr answered no.
In a written statement to the paper, Barr said: “We shouldn't give floor time for distractions. President Trump and I are focused on delivering for Kentucky families, farmers, and miners.”
Why this matters
Discharge petitions are one of the few tools rank-and-file members have to force a floor vote.
The hits, with citations
Each line below is a single documented claim, followed by the quoted source language and the citation.
Barr said he would not sign the petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.
[Lexington Herald-Leader, July 16, 2025]
News reportVerifiedBarr called the effort a distraction.
“We shouldn't give floor time for distractions.”
[Lexington Herald-Leader, July 16, 2025]
News reportVerified
Barr’s position and right of reply
Barr's full statement to the Herald-Leader is quoted above.
Responses are published in full on the corrections and responses page.
Sources
- News reportVerified
Kentucky members split on Massie's Epstein files petition
“In response to a question on if he intended to sign Massie's petition, Barr responded ‘no.’ “We shouldn't give floor time for distractions,” Barr wrote in a statement to the Herald-Leader.”