House Republicans blocked a Democratic-backed effort late Monday evening to require the Department of Justice to release all records related to the convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. The House Rules Committee voted 5 to 7 to reject an amendment that would force Attorney General Pam Bondi to publish any “records or evidence” regarding the federal government’s prosecution and incarceration of Epstein.

Two House Democrats are calling for the full release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. NBC News’ Julie Tsirkin reports more from Capitol Hill, and Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky joins Chris Jansing to discuss Democrats fanning the flames of MAGA world’s outrage over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files.

A group of Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are demanding their Republican counterparts hold a public hearing on the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein documents. Why it matters: Democrats have homed in on a strategy this week of squeezing Republicans on the issue as President Trump comes under fire from his own base.

Republicans are looking for a lifeline. The GOP has narrow, fragile control of the House of Representatives, and could lose its majority entirely in next year's midterm elections. The party is looking to Texas to provide a buffer.

President Donald Trump told Texas Republicans Tuesday the White House believes the GOP can flip as many as five US House seats as part of a Republican redistricting effort in the state, according to a source familiar with the call.