The House is leaving Washington a day early for it's five-week August recess after tensions erupted over efforts to force release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Why it matters: Fallout from the debate over the Epstein files has effectively frozen House business.

The renewed focus on Ghislaine Maxwell comes amid persistent questions over President Trump’s years-long friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

In an statement shared with Newsweek, the White House denied that an encounter described by Farmer took place.

The House plans to depart for a long August recess on Thursday without holding votes on the planned measures. The lower chamber can still vote on measures under suspension, which requires a two-thirds majority. With no action by the Rules Committee, the House will vote on two minor bills both under suspension on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, was convicted in 2021 for her role in helping Epstein recruit, groom and abuse underage girls.