Key Takeaways
- US Congress passes bill forcing Justice Department to release Jeffrey Epstein files
- Bill passed House 427-1 and Senate with unanimous consent
- President Trump reversed opposition and will sign the legislation
- Files must be released within 30 days with limited redactions
In a decisive bipartisan move, the US Congress has passed legislation compelling the Justice Department to publicly release its Jeffrey Epstein case files. The bill now heads to President Trump, who has reversed his earlier opposition and pledged to sign it into law.
Overcoming Political Resistance
The legislation represents a remarkable victory for transparency advocates who faced months of resistance from both President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Despite Trump initially dismissing the effort as a “hoax” and Johnson attempting to block the vote, overwhelming congressional support forced their hands.
The House passed the bill with near-unanimous approval at 427-1, while the Senate agreed to pass it by unanimous consent hours later.
The Lone Dissenter
Republican Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana cast the only vote against the legislation. The Trump loyalist stated he opposed the bill over concerns it could release information about innocent individuals mentioned in the federal investigation.
Survivors’ Long Fight for Justice
The bill marks a pivotal moment in the yearslong campaign by Epstein’s abuse survivors for accountability. The financier died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls.
“These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight. And they did it by banding together and never giving up,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as she stood with some of the abuse survivors outside the Capitol Tuesday morning.
“That’s what we did by fighting so hard against the most powerful people in the world, even the president of the United States, in order to make this vote happen today,” added Greene, a Georgia Republican and longtime Trump loyalist.
Broader Investigations and Fallout
Separate investigations have already revealed Epstein’s extensive connections to global leaders, Wall Street figures, and political influencers including Trump himself. The House Oversight Committee has released thousands of pages from Epstein’s estate.
Internationally, pressure over Epstein connections led King Charles III to strip Prince Andrew of his remaining royal titles and evict him from his residence.
What the Bill Requires
The legislation mandates the release of all Epstein-related files and communications within 30 days, including information about the investigation into his prison death. While the Justice Department can redact victim information and details of ongoing investigations, it cannot withhold information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”
