House Overwhelmingly Approves Epstein Files Disclosure Bill/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ The U.S. House overwhelmingly 427-1 passed a bill requiring the Department of Justice to publicly release its case files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill surmounted opposition from President Donald Trump and House GOP leadership, and now moves to the Senate. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse and bipartisan lawmakers hailed the vote as a step toward transparency and accountability.
Quick Look
- The House voted decisively in favor of legislation mandating release of Epstein‑related Justice Department files.
- The measure followed months of resistance from Trump and GOP leadership, which called the issue a “hoax.”
- The bill advances to the Senate, where its prospects and possible amendments remain uncertain.
- Survivors of Epstein’s abuse gathered outside the Capitol, urging lawmakers for full disclosure.
- The bill allows redactions for ongoing investigations or victim privacy, but not for mere “embarrassment” or political sensitivity.
- Bipartisan sponsors of the bill, Thomas Massie (R‑Ky) and Ro Khanna (D‑Calif), warned the Senate against weakening the legislation.
- The move adds political pressure on the Trump administration and puts transparency supporters on record.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson in a surprising shift allowed the vote under a special two‑thirds rule despite earlier opposition.
- Trump, having previously resisted the bill, now said he would sign it if it passes the Senate.
- The vote represents one of the rare bipartisan legislative wins for victims of sexual abuse and their advocates.
House Votes to Release Epstein Files – Deep Look
In a rare show of bipartisan unity, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation 427-1 votes on Tuesday that would compel the Department of Justice to release all files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill marks a dramatic legislative turn following months of political resistance from former President Donald Trump and top GOP leaders, who had previously dismissed calls for disclosure as politically motivated.
The bill now advances to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain, but pressure is mounting — not only from both sides of the aisle in Congress, but also from Epstein’s victims, advocates for government transparency, and the broader public.
What the Bill Does
The bill mandates the public release of all documents, files, communications, and materials related to the federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, his associates, and the circumstances surrounding his death in a federal prison in 2019. It also includes provisions to release information on any continuing investigations, except where redactions are necessary to protect ongoing legal efforts, victims, or whistleblowers. Crucially, the bill prohibits redactions based solely on political embarrassment, reputational harm, or sensitivities involving government officials, public figures, or foreign dignitaries.
If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the Department of Justice would have 30 days to comply.
From Fringe Petition to Landslide Vote
The legislation initially began as a longshot petition introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA). House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, initially resisted allowing the bill to come to a vote, echoing concerns from the former president that the issue was a “distraction” and a “hoax.”
But public pressure intensified. Victims and advocates staged multiple rallies outside the Capitol. On Tuesday, survivors of Epstein’s abuse stood in front of Congress, some holding pictures of themselves as teenagers, urging lawmakers to prioritize transparency.
“This is for every girl who was told to be silent,” said Jena-Lisa Jones, one of the survivors. “We are tired. We are traumatized. But we are not invisible.”
As support built, Trump reversed his stance, telling reporters on Monday that Republicans should vote for the bill and promising to sign it if it reached his desk.
Greene and MAGA Divide
One of the more surprising champions of the bill was Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a longtime Trump loyalist, who broke ranks with the former president to support the legislation. Greene accused GOP leaders of abandoning the populist values of the “MAGA” movement by shielding the powerful from accountability.
“Watching this turn into a fight has ripped MAGA apart,” Greene said. “This vote isn’t about partisanship — it’s about justice.”
She joined survivors outside the Capitol before the vote and helped whip votes among skeptical Republicans.
A Legislative Roadblock Removed
The vote only became possible after Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), elected in a special race in September, was finally sworn into office last week. Johnson had delayed her swearing-in during a prolonged government shutdown. Her signature on the discharge petition pushed the bill past the required threshold of 218 signatories, forcing Johnson to act.
Rather than let the bill linger for another week, Johnson unexpectedly brought it to the floor under a two-thirds rule requiring overwhelming support. Despite criticizing the bill as “politically motivated,” he voted for it, admitting: “None of us want to go on record and be accused of hiding the truth.”
Bipartisan Win or Strategic Retreat?
Democrats framed the vote as a significant moral and political victory.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries celebrated the vote: “This is a complete and total surrender by the GOP leadership. The American people and Epstein’s survivors deserve full and complete transparency.”
For Republicans, it was a balancing act. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has not committed to bringing the bill to the floor, previously stating that he “trusts the Justice Department to release what’s appropriate.” But critics argue that what the DOJ has released under Trump’s administration is limited and largely already public.
Why It Matters
Jeffrey Epstein, a well-connected financier, was facing charges for sex trafficking and abuse of minors when he died by suicide in a federal prison in 2019. His ties to prominent figures across politics, finance, and royalty have sparked widespread conspiracy theories and public distrust.
A separate investigation by the House Oversight Committee has already unearthed thousands of documents linking Epstein to elite powerbrokers — from Wall Street financiers to global politicians. In the U.K., King Charles III stripped his brother Prince Andrew of royal privileges after renewed scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein.
If the bill passes the Senate, it could be the most significant public disclosure yet related to the Epstein case — one that could have political and legal consequences across the globe.
Key Takeaways
- The House passed the Epstein Files Release Act with a wide bipartisan majority.
- Trump and Speaker Johnson both reversed earlier opposition after mounting public and political pressure.
- Survivors and advocates played a major role in securing the vote.
- The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate is still uncertain.
- If enacted, the DOJ would have 30 days to release previously unreleased files.
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