Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein in 1993. Credit: By Ralph Alswang, White House photographer – Creative Commons
The US House of Representatives has passed a key vote to force the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s unclassified Justice Department files, approving the measure by 427–1.
The vote represents a major breakthrough after months of political tension and sustained pressure from survivors. The bill advanced only after President Donald Trump abruptly dropped his opposition, clearing the way for the measure to pass.
Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405), the US Justice Department must publish all unclassified Epstein-related documents in a searchable online database within 30 days of the law taking effect.
According to the summary on Congress.gov, material may be redacted only to protect:
- victims’ identities
- cooperating witnesses
- national security
- ongoing investigations
Crucially, redactions cannot be used to prevent “embarrassment” or “reputational harm” to public figures – a provision highlighted by the Associated Press.
Unlike previous calls to release Epstein records, this House vote is binding legislation, not a symbolic gesture. It was triggered by a rare discharge petition, signed by a bipartisan coalition, which forced House leaders to bring the bill to the floor after weeks of internal Republican conflict.
The lone ‘no’ vote for release of Epstein files: Clay Higgins’ privacy warning
Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins cast the only vote against the bill. Speaking to Newsweek, Higgins warned that releasing a wide array of investigative files could expose “innocent people” mentioned in documents, including relatives and uncharged individuals.
He argued the bill risks “abandoning long-standing criminal procedure” unless stronger privacy safeguards are added in the Senate.
What happens next in the Senate
The bill now heads to the US Senate, where leaders have signalled it could receive a vote “soon,” according to Reuters.
If the Senate changes the bill, it must return to the House for another vote, potentially delaying the release of files.
Even if the bill becomes law, some categories will stay sealed under US federal law, including:
- grand jury materials
- child sexual abuse images
- certain intelligence records
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