In a significant decision, the House of Representatives has voted to make the Epstein files public after extensive discussions among lawmakers.
The vote occurred on Tuesday, with the bill receiving strong bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans, passing with near unanimity. Only one representative voted against it.
This legislation mandates the release of the Justice Department’s records on Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased sex offender, with GOP Rep. Clay Higgins being the sole dissenter.
The bill, which passed with a 427 – 1 vote, is now on its way to the Senate for final approval before it can become law.
The session was attended by several victims of Epstein, who had been advocating for justice outside the Capitol in the days leading up to the vote.
Among the attendees was the brother of Victoria Guiffre, seated in the front row with other individuals who had suffered at the hands of Epstein.
House Speaker Mike Johnson initially attempted to postpone the vote when the subject was first introduced in July, leading to significant tension across the political spectrum.
He even dismissed the House for the August recess a day early due to the lack of progress on reaching a consensus on the matter.
The process was further hindered by a 50-day Government shutdown, which concluded last week and had delayed Democrat Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in and subsequent support for the bill.
Once signed last week, Grijalva’s endorsement became the 218th signature, compelling the speaker to move forward with the vote.
Before the votes were taken, Johnson labeled the bill as a “political exercise” and criticized it for its “serious deficiencies,” expressing his hope that the Senate would amend it.
He asserted, however, that the President was innocent in this matter, stating: “[Trump] has nothing to hide.”
Initially, Donald Trump opposed the release of the files and tried to block the bill. However, as support for it grew, he changed his stance on Monday and announced his backing.
“I’m all for it,” Trump stated, pledging to sign the bill into law if the Senate approves it.
According to the bill, Attorney General Pam Bondi must disclose all “unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials” related to Epstein in the Justice Department’s possession.
Nonetheless, some information will remain redacted, with victims’ names and identifying details kept private, along with any content that might include child sex abuse material.