Trump ally bucks calls from Republicans for more transparency by shutting down option of vote before Congress breaks up for recess

Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. Mike Johnson, the House speaker, has pushed back against growing calls for a vote on releasing any files on Jeffrey Epstein – saying he does not plan to allow votes on any measures relating to the convicted sex offender before Congress breaks for the summer.

A number of Trump supporters in Congress have argued for a vote to show transparency and introduced a non-binding resolution calling for the release of additional Epstein files. But Johnson, a key ally of the president, told CNN on Monday there would be no vote before Congress returns in September.

My belief is we need the administration to have the space to do what it is doing, and if further congressional action is necessary or appropriate, then we’ll look at that, but I don’t think we’re at that point right now, because we agree with the president.