U.S. House overwhelmingly approves bill forcing release of Jeffrey Epstein documents
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill Tuesday requiring the Department of Justice to publish documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, sending the measure to the Senate.
November 18, 2025 - 03:12 PM ET • 2 min read
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved legislation that would compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The measure, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed the House almost unanimously, with only one dissenting vote. The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration.
The sole vote against the legislation came from Republican Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana.
President Donald Trump, who had previously opposed the release of the documents for months, reversed his position over the weekend. Authorities said Trump encouraged Republican lawmakers to support the measure and promised to sign the bill if it reaches his desk, a necessary step for its implementation.
Trump's change in posture coincided with increased public pressure following the publication last week of approximately 23,000 files related to Epstein. These files reportedly included emails suggesting the President was aware of Epstein's crimes, according to sources.
Members of the Hispanic Caucus suggested that Trump's reversal was motivated by a desire not to be perceived as a "loser" in Congress.
The President faced scrutiny regarding his previous opposition to the release. During an encounter with reporters Tuesday, Trump clashed with an ABC News journalist who asked why he waited so long to authorize the publication of all Epstein files. Trump reportedly insulted the reporter, calling her a "piggy" and a "bad journalist."
Following the vote, several lawmakers spoke alongside survivors of Epstein, demanding accountability for those linked to the disgraced financier in the United States.
Representative Thomas Massie (R) stated that U.S. perpetrators of heinous crimes linked to Epstein must face the "same kind of consequences" seen in the United Kingdom. Massie cited the fallout experienced by those with ties to Epstein in Britain, including Prince Andrew losing his title and Peter Mandelson losing his ambassadorship.
"There's becoming a reckoning in Britain that needs to happen in the United States," Massie said outside the U.S. Capitol.
Massie and Representative Ro Khanna (D) also called for an accounting, arguing that buildings and scholarships should not be named after perpetrators of these crimes.