(NewsNation) — The House voted Tuesday on legislation requiring the Justice Department to publicly release its case files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The legislation passed with only one no vote, from Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., who objected on the grounds that it would reveal information regarding innocent people.
The vote is the culmination of a monthslong effort that advanced despite initial opposition from President Donald Trump and Republican leadership.
The push gained momentum in July when a small bipartisan group of lawmakers filed a petition to sidestep House Speaker Mike Johnson and force a vote. At the time, the effort seemed unlikely to succeed, especially as Trump urged Republicans to dismiss the issue as a “hoax.” However, both Trump and Johnson ultimately failed to block the vote.
Now, under pressure, Trump has reversed course. He said this week that Republicans should support the bill and committed to signing it if it clears both chambers. “Let the Senate look at it,” Trump said.
Tuesday’s vote marks a significant step in the growing demand for transparency surrounding Epstein, a politically connected financier who died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
A separate House Oversight Committee investigation has already released thousands of pages of emails and documents from Epstein’s estate, revealing ties to global leaders, Wall Street powerbrokers, political figures and Trump himself.
Survivors demand DOJ release all Epstein files
Adding to the pressure, several Epstein accusers advocated Tuesday for the release of the files on Capitol Hill.
“I know everybody sees us today as grown adults, but we are fighting for the children that were abandoned and left behind in the reckoning,” Haley Robson said while holding up a photo of herself at the age she met Epstein.
“I am traumatized, I am not stupid.”
Haley Robson, Epstein abuse survivor, on skepticism of Trump’s about-face
Jena-Lisa Jones said Epstein “stole a lot” from her when she met him at the age of 14. “I was a child. I was in ninth grade. I was hopeful for life and what the future had held for me,” an emotional Jones said while holding up a photo of herself at age 14. “So just a little reminder there for everybody.”
Jones also criticized Trump’s directive: “I beg you, President Trump, please stop making this political. It is not about you, President Trump. You are our president. Please start acting like it.”
“I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment.”
Jena-Lisa Jones, Epstein abuse survivor
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., lauded the speakers’ courage and said Tuesday’s vote must pass without amendments.
“It should go straight to the Senate, and it should be signed, no amendments, no adding loopholes. Justice is long overdue,” Khanna said.
He also thanked Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., adding that they suffered “extraordinary political consequences” for their efforts backing the release.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene pushes back on Trump criticism
Trump has attacked Republicans who are pushing the measure, including Greene, whom he denounced as a traitor to the “Make America Great Again” movement.
Greene, a longtime Trump supporter, pushed back against the president’s criticism Tuesday.
Greene continued, “Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is an American that serves foreign countries and themselves.
“A patriot is an American that serves the United States of America and Americans like the women standing behind me.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
She also emphasized that the “real fight” will come after Tuesday’s vote.
“The real test will be: Will the Department of Justice release the files, or will it all remain tied up in investigations?” Greene said, questioning whether New York federal judges will unseal grand jury transcripts from Epstein’s case.
What does the Epstein files bill do?
Johnson has pointed to an ongoing House Oversight Committee investigation into Epstein’s abuse, which has focused heavily on Epstein’s connections to Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton. The committee has subpoenaed the DOJ for its files, but Democrats say the department’s response has fallen short.
Under the bill, the DOJ would be required to release all files and communications related to Epstein, including information on the investigation into his death. Details involving victims or ongoing investigations could be redacted, but not information withheld for reasons of “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.”
The bill is expected to pass the House easily, but its fate in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53–47 majority, is less certain.
The political reverberations of Epstein’s case have intensified since his death in 2019, as more individuals have come forward alleging abuse.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.