On Tuesday (Nov 18), he U.S. House of Representatives approved a controversial resolution requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to release its unredacted files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associates within 30 days, in a 427 to 1 vote.
The bill, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, would compel the Justice Department to publicly release files related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of it being signed into law, with some exceptions for survivors’ personal information and other sensitive material.
The measure would compel the attorney general to make public all documents related to Epstein’s criminal investigations, prosecutions, flight logs, and any individuals connected to his activities. It would prohibit withholding records based on “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity” to government officials or public figures, though it allows limited redactions for victim privacy, child sexual abuse materials, and properly classified national security information.
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
“I voted yes today because survivors deserve the truth and to know that their voices matter,” said a statement from U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, an Akron Democrat. ”Powerful men have long used their connections to avoid accountability. This is the beginning of the end of these harmful tactics.
President Trump dropped his opposition to the bill earlier this week, opening the door for House Republicans to vote for its passage. Despite their ultimate support, many GOP lawmakers denounced the vote as a stunt, arguing Democrats were seeking the documents to attack the president.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Tuesday, all Senate Democrats demanded an immediate vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
“These revelations further demonstrate the urgent need for the Trump Administration to provide transparency and release the full Epstein files,” the letter said.
“The U.S. Senate has the chance to show strong leadership and swiftly pass this legislation. We urge you to promptly proceed to the consideration of the Epstein Files Transparency Act on the Senate floor pursuant to Senate Rule XIV, so that the legislation can be immediately placed on the Senate Calendar. The Senate should move without delay to pass this legislation unamended and send it on to the President to be signed into law,” it continued