House Approves Vote for Release of Jeffrey Epstein Files

The House of Representatives is set to vote next week on a bill aimed at releasing files connected to the sex trafficking investigation involving Jeffrey Epstein. This significant move follows months of resistance from Republican leaders, who have faced pressure after a petition accumulated the necessary 218 signatures to bring the matter to a vote.

The petition, initiated by Representatives Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, and Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, has garnered support from all House Democrats and several Republicans. Notably, representatives such as Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina have backed the effort. The momentum for the vote increased further when Adelita Grijalva of Arizona was sworn into office and immediately signed the petition, solidifying majority support in the 435-member House.

Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, announced that he would expedite the legislative process to ensure the bill is brought to the floor for a vote early next week. Johnson has previously refuted claims that he obstructed the legislation to protect President Donald Trump or other individuals connected to Epstein. He emphasized that the Republican majority had concerns regarding the bill’s wording, which he suggested did not sufficiently safeguard victims.

The proposed legislation, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, would require the Justice Department to release all documents and communications related to Epstein, including information about the investigation into his death while in federal custody. While the bill allows for the redaction of details regarding Epstein’s victims or ongoing federal investigations, it stipulates that the department cannot withhold information based on “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”

Johnson, who had previously labeled the petition as a “moot point,” now acknowledges the necessity of a vote. If the petition’s supporters all back it in the House, the bill is expected to pass, potentially attracting additional Republican votes as it progresses. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska, who did not initially sign the petition, has expressed his intention to support it.

The bill’s journey faces a more challenging path in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. It is anticipated that a minimum of 60 votes would be required for final passage. When asked about the Senate’s willingness to consider the bill if it passes in the House, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota stated, “I can’t comment on that at this point,” while also noting that the Justice Department has already released a substantial number of documents related to the case.

Should the legislation successfully navigate the Senate, it would ultimately reach President Trump, who has expressed his opposition to the bill from the outset. On his social media platform, Trump criticized the Democrats for attempting to revive the Epstein investigation, claiming they were deflecting attention from their own shortcomings. He warned that only a “very bad, or stupid, Republican” would support such measures.

If President Trump were to veto the bill, Congress could override his decision with a two-thirds majority in both chambers, a feat that has only occurred twice since 2009. Representative Massie indicated that Trump could avoid this situation by independently releasing all relevant Epstein files held by the federal government, suggesting there is still an opportunity for the former president to address the issue proactively.