WASHINGTON

A discharge petition to compel a vote in the US House of Representatives on releasing the Epstein files successfully reached the required 218 signatures Wednesday after Rep. Adelita Grijalva signed it.

"Just this morning, House Democrats released more emails showing that (President Donald) Trump knew more about (Jeffrey) Epstein's abuses than he previously acknowledged," Grijalva said at the swearing-in ceremony.

"I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files. Justice cannot wait another day," she added.

Grijalva became the 218th member needed to advance the petition, compelling the House to hold a vote on making all records related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein publicly available.

The Democrat from the state of Arizona won a special election on Sept. 23 to replace her father, Rep. Raul Grijalva, who died in March.