House Votes to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files Amid Bipartisan Support
In a notable display of bipartisan agreement, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation concerning the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
On Tuesday, the bill was forwarded to the Senate with a vote count of 427 in favor and only one against.
The lone dissenting vote came from Congressman Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana). He explained his decision on X, stating that his opposition wasn’t about the files themselves but rather the way the bill was formulated.
“I have said ‘no’ on principle to this bill from the beginning. What was wrong with this bill three months ago is still wrong today. This abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedures in America. If enacted as is, this type of large-scale disclosure will expose criminal investigation files to sensationalist media, potentially harming innocent individuals. The Oversight Committee has already released over 60,000 pages related to the Epstein case, and that work will continue in a manner that protects innocent Americans. If the Senate revises the bill to secure the privacy of other Americans mentioned but not involved, I would support it when it returns to the House,” he posted.
Before the vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) urged the Senate to address what he termed “serious flaws” in the legislation, although he later indicated he would support it.
“We’re moving this forward. I expect a nearly unanimous vote because all Republicans here want to record their commitment to transparency while ensuring these issues are rectified before the bill progresses,” Johnson remarked during a news conference.
Johnson’s primary concern is that the current draft lacks adequate protections for victims. He fears it could inadvertently lead to the release of damaging materials, identifiable information about whistleblowers, or sensitive details from ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from New York announced he would seek unanimous consent for a Senate vote on the bill later that day.
“If the House passes the Epstein Files Release Act today, I will immediately push for it in the Senate and advocate for its passage,” Schumer stated.
