House To Vote On ‘Epstein Files Transparency Act’

WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives on Tuesday will vote on a bill calling for the release of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The bipartisan bill, called the Epstein Files Transparency Act, is sponsored by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). This bill requires the Department of Justice to publish “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in DOJ’s possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.”

The bill would also require the Justice Department to release materials that relate to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s reported associate and convicted sex trafficker, as well as “flight logs and travel records,” and “individuals named or referenced (including government officials) in connection with the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.”

The Justice Department is permitted to withhold certain information, such as victims’ personal information and materials that would “jeopardize an active federal investigation,” the bill summary noted.

The House will vote on the bill after 2:00 p.m. If passed, it would head to the Senate, where Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says he will move for the upper chamber to “immediately take it up and pass it — period.”

“Republicans have spent months trying to protect Donald Trump and hide what’s in the files. Americans are tired of waiting and are demanding to see the truth. If Leader Thune tries to bury the bill, I’ll stop him,” Schumer said.

It remains to be seen whether Thune will do so, considering Trump has urged House Republicans to vote to release the Epstein files and pledged to sign the bill if passed. Republicans had initially opposed releasing the files as Democrats pushed to do so, claiming the files implicated Trump. Trump on Monday said he was tired of the Epstein saga overshadowing his administration’s accomplishments, and claimed that releasing the files would hurt Democrats more than Republicans.

Trump’s about-face seems to have turned the tide among Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who had previously urged his party to oppose the release. While several Republicans had already planned to vote for releasing the files, Trump’s change of heart will likely encourage more lawmakers to do so.

The bill summary said 15 days after the required publication, the DOJ must report “all categories of information released and withheld, a summary of any redactions made, and a list of all government officials and politically exposed individuals named or referenced in the published materials.”

On Monday night, Khanna said the “swamp” is “trying to get it amended in the Senate.”

“Anyone who tried to amend a bill POTUS says he will sign is betraying the survivors,” Khanna said.