WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, voted to compel the Justice Department to publicly release all unclassified records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking a significant victory for transparency advocates and Epstein’s survivors after years of delays and political maneuvering.
The legislation, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin of 427-1 before swiftly advancing through the Senate, clearing the path for President Donald Trump’s expected signature as early as Wednesday.
The House vote, conducted under a suspension of the rules requiring a two-thirds majority, saw only one dissenting voice: Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., who expressed concerns that the measure could inadvertently expose identifying details of witnesses and other individuals involved in the investigations. Higgins’ solitary “no” vote stood in stark contrast to the near-unanimous support from both Democrats and Republicans, underscoring the bill’s cross-party appeal despite initial resistance from Republican leadership.
The resolution mandates that Attorney General Pam Bondi make available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified documents, communications, investigative materials, flight logs, travel records, and details on entities and individuals connected to Epstein’s activities, including his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. The Justice Department must comply within 30 days of the bill’s enactment, with provisions for redacting victims’ names to protect their privacy.
In the Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., secured unanimous consent for passage shortly after the House vote, bypassing a formal roll call and ensuring the bill’s rapid transmission to the White House. During a floor speech, Schumer emphasized the moral imperative behind the legislation, declaring, “The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough. Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.” His words resonated deeply in a chamber often divided along partisan lines, reflecting a broader public demand for accountability in the Epstein saga that has lingered since the financier’s death in a Manhattan jail in August 2019, officially ruled a suicide but shrouded in conspiracy theories.
The bill’s momentum built over months of grassroots pressure, including a successful discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., which garnered 218 signatures on November 12, forcing the House floor vote. Massie, a vocal critic of what he called the Justice Department’s “protection of pedophiles and sex traffickers,” hailed the outcome as a fulfillment of campaign promises for transparency. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who had previously stalled the measure for nearly two months amid a government shutdown, ultimately voted in favor but described it as a “political show vote” driven by Democrats seeking to embarrass President Trump. Despite such rhetoric, the lopsided tally revealed fractures within the GOP, with many rank-and-file Republicans defying Trump’s earlier opposition to prioritize constituent demands.
Epstein’s case has long cast a shadow over elite circles, involving allegations of sex trafficking and abuse of underage girls facilitated through his vast network of influential contacts. Convicted in 2008 on state charges in Florida, Epstein evaded federal prosecution until 2019, when he was arrested on sex-trafficking charges. His death by hanging in federal custody sparked widespread skepticism, fueled by malfunctioning cameras, absent guards, and his connections to figures like former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, as well as celebrities and business leaders. Conspiracy theories, amplified on social media and by some Trump supporters, have alleged a cover-up of Epstein’s ties to powerful Democrats, though court documents released in prior years have implicated individuals across the political spectrum. The files targeted by this bill include internal DOJ communications on charging decisions, plea agreements, immunity deals, and records of Epstein’s detention—materials that could shed light on why federal authorities appeared lenient during his lifetime.
The political dimensions of the Epstein scandal have been particularly acute for Trump, whose past association with the financier—documented in photos and flight logs—has become a persistent vulnerability. During his 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to release the files if re-elected, telling podcaster Lex Fridman in September that he would do so to expose “crooked” opponents. Yet, upon returning to office in January 2025, his administration resisted congressional pressure, with the White House quietly lobbying to delay votes and framing the issue as a “Democrat hoax” distracting from priorities like border security and tax cuts. This stance alienated some MAGA base members, who viewed the opacity as evidence of elite protectionism. Trump’s abrupt reversal came over the weekend of November 16–17, when he urged House Republicans to support the bill, stating, “We have nothing to hide.” A senior White House official confirmed that Trump plans to sign the measure “whenever it gets to the White House,” potentially as soon as Wednesday morning.
The human toll of Epstein’s crimes took center stage ahead of the vote, as about two dozen survivors gathered outside the U.S. Capitol with lawmakers Massie, Greene, and Khanna to share their stories. Holding childhood photos, survivors like Jena-Lisa Jones and Annie Farmer described years of “institutional betrayal,” recounting how Epstein lured them as minors into a web of exploitation that spanned his Palm Beach mansion, New York townhouse, and private island. Jones, speaking through tears, called for a “moral reckoning” not just against perpetrators but against the financial institutions and enablers who sustained the network. “Sexual abuse is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue… The world should see the files to know who Jeffrey Epstein was and how the system failed us,” she said. Haley Robson, another survivor, emphasized the rally’s message: “This is about the powerless taking power away from the very powerful.”
As the House clerk announced the 427-1 tally, survivors in the public gallery erupted in applause, some embracing and weeping in relief. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico, joined in the ovation, turning to acknowledge the women who had endured decades of silence. Advocacy groups hailed the moment as a step toward healing, though they cautioned that true justice requires prosecuting any remaining enablers named in the files.
Trump’s response to the day’s events underscored the lingering tensions. During an Oval Office meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the president fielded a question from ABC News’ Mary Bruce about why he hadn’t unilaterally ordered the files’ release. Visibly agitated, Trump interrupted, labeling Bruce a “terrible person” and “terrible reporter” for her “attitude,” before threatening to have the Federal Communications Commission revoke ABC’s broadcast license. “I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert,” Trump insisted, reiterating his long-standing disavowal of the financier while pivoting to accuse Democrats of orchestrating the “hoax.” The outburst drew immediate criticism from press freedom advocates and even some Republicans, who saw it as an escalation of Trump’s media hostilities.
As the bill awaits Trump’s pen, questions persist about its full impact. Legal experts note that while the act compels unclassified releases, classified portions—potentially including intelligence on foreign ties or ongoing probes—could remain sealed. Recent leaks, including thousands of emails from the House Oversight Committee last week, have already implicated figures like former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, prompting his resignation from OpenAI’s board amid internal scrutiny.
This legislative breakthrough arrives amid broader reckonings with Epstein’s legacy. Maxwell, convicted in 2021 on trafficking charges, is serving a 20-year sentence but has reportedly sought a Trump pardon, adding irony to the president’s involvement. Civil suits continue against Epstein’s estate, which has paid out over $150 million to survivors, yet many victims say financial compensation cannot erase systemic failures.
For the two dozen women who rallied Tuesday, the bill represents not just disclosure but validation—a public acknowledgment that their voices, long marginalized, can finally pierce the veil of power Epstein exploited.
As Congress shifts focus to fiscal cliffs and foreign policy, the Epstein files’ release could redefine accountability in America, forcing a confrontation with uncomfortable truths about wealth, influence, and justice. With Trump’s signature imminent, the nation braces for revelations that may upend reputations and reignite debates over who, if anyone, truly escapes Epstein’s shadow.
