The House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disclose files related to Jeffrey Epstein. This decision followed a months-long campaign led by Democrats along with Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
Several survivors of Epstein were present during the vote and visibly celebrated as the resolution passed.
In total, 427 members of the House voted in favor, with only one dissenting vote from Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana, who later explained his stance on social media.
Higgins expressed concern that the bill could endanger innocent individuals, including witnesses and relatives of those involved. He argued that such large-scale disclosures could lead to tragic consequences. However, he indicated that he might support the bill if the Senate makes amendments to protect the privacy of uninvolved individuals.
In the lead-up to the vote, some House Republican leaders voiced apprehensions regarding the bill’s implications for victim privacy. Regardless, the demand for transparency and support from President Donald Trump led most House Republicans to back the measure.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) mentioned he would support the bill, despite worries that it might not sufficiently protect the identities of victims and others whose names could be disclosed against their will. He cautioned that revealing such identities could deter future whistleblowers and even compromise secret agents involved in ongoing operations.
House leaders have also endorsed a separate investigation by the Oversight Committee, which has released thousands of pages of documents related to the Epstein case.
Supporters like Massey and Khanna argue that the bill is essential for delivering justice to Epstein’s victims, while highlighting concerns over Johnson’s alternative approach. Some House Republicans anticipate that the Senate will seek to amend the bill, echoing the Speaker’s reservations.
However, Khanna and Massey held a press conference to caution the Senate against making significant changes. Khanna urged, “Don’t mix it up in the Senate. If you want to add protections, do it. But any move to hinder disclosure would go against public interest.”
As for the Senate’s next steps, it remains unclear how Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) will handle the bill, although Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has indicated he intends to push for its consideration.
Schumer stated that if the House passes the Epstein File Release Act, he would advocate for its immediate discussion in the Senate. He accused Republicans of attempting to shield Trump and of prolonging access to the information that the public deserves. “Americans want transparency,” he added.
