The United States House of Representatives voted Tuesday to advance a measure compelling the U.S. Department of Justice to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, following a sharp, politically charged debate on the House floor.
The vote numbers in the House were 427 in favor and 1 against, the one no vote was from Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican.
The action comes after Donald Trump signaled he would no longer block the vote. Supporters, including Republican and Democratic lawmakers who helped force the floor vote via a bipartisan discharge petition, said the move is about accountability for Epstein’s victims and transparency for the American public.
During remarks, Rep. Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat, told the chamber, “Protecting women and children from pedophiles should not be a Democratic issue. Should not be a Republican issue. It should be a human rights issue and a matter of justice.” Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican, praised the three GOP women who backed the petition, saying they had been “intimidated by people in our own party.”
While the initiative received backing, House Speaker Mike Johnson cautioned that the legislation is not perfect and argued Democrats are more intent on using the files to target Trump than deliver justice for victims.
The legislation would require the Justice Department to release its investigative files in the Epstein case, with appropriate redactions, according to Johnson. Some victims’ advocates pressed for immediate and full transparency, asserting that delay only prolongs the harm.
The vote underscores lingering partisan tension around the issue of Epstein’s alleged network and connections with high-profile individuals. Some Republicans view the effort as overdue and necessary; others warn that political calculations threaten to overshadow the rights of victims and due process for potentially innocent individuals. The Speaker’s referencing of “respectful and careful manner” highlights GOP concern about balancing transparency with fairness.
The measure now moves forward, but questions remain about how fully the files will be unredacted, how quickly they will be released, and whether the Senate will take up the matter in a timely manner.
