In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the United States House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act by a 427-1 margin, compelling the Department of Justice (DOJ) to publicly release unclassified records connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The legislation mandates disclosure of all documents, communications and investigative materials in the DOJ’s possession relating to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. Only one member of the House, Republican Clay Higgins of Louisiana, voted against the bill, citing concerns that the measure could expose innocent individuals and compromise criminal-justice procedures.
The push to force the vote comes after months of internal GOP tension and opposition from former President Donald Trump, who initially dismissed the matter as a “hoax.” But in the days leading up to the vote, Trump reversed course and stated he would sign the measure if it reached his desk.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse were present in the House gallery and outside the Capitol, holding photos of themselves as children and calling for transparency. Leading the legislative charge were Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), who used a discharge petition to force the vote despite resistance from House leadership.
With the measure approved in the House, it now proceeds to the United States Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune indicated a swift vote is possible. If passed, the bill would reach Trump’s desk and become law, enabling the DOJ to release the records and potentially shed new light on Epstein’s network and how investigations were handled.
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