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US House poised to approve release of Epstein investigation files
The US House of Representatives is expected to vote Tuesday on a measure compelling the Justice Department to release documents from investigations into late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as survivors of his abuse rally on Capitol Hill for full transparency.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) predicted a "large vote tally" in the Republican-led chamber, following a sudden shift in position by President Donald Trump, who urged GOP lawmakers to support the resolution after previously opposing it. The measure still requires Senate approval before any documents could be disclosed.
Survivors intensify pressure ahead of vote
Advocacy group World Without Exploitation projected images of Epstein survivors onto Washington buildings Monday night-each display located within a mile of Capitol Hill-with the message: "Congress, release all of the files." Survivors are scheduled to appear on Capitol Hill Tuesday to lobby for the measure.
Lawmakers from both parties argue the files could expose connections between Epstein and influential figures. While previous document releases-including thousands of emails published last week by the House Oversight Committee-mentioned high-profile individuals like Trump, they did not allege wrongdoing.
Trump reverses stance after months of resistance
The president, who had pressured Republicans to reject the resolution, abruptly endorsed it Sunday, telling reporters Monday evening he would sign it into law if Congress approved. "Sure I would," Trump said. "Let the Senate look at it, let anybody look at it. But don't talk about it too much," adding that media focus on the issue was "deflecting" from his administration's achievements.
Critics accused Trump of stalling. Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, stated Monday that the president "has the power to release all the files today" and was using the process to "deflect and slow down our investigation."
Senate hurdles and potential delays
Speaker Johnson acknowledged concerns about the resolution's drafting, expressing "some comfort" that the Senate-also controlled by Republicans-could address issues like victim and whistleblower protections. Any amendments in the Senate would require reconciliation with the House version, potentially delaying final passage.
Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who championed the resolution despite Trump's initial opposition, told CNN he suspected the president's reversal was strategically timed but expected "very big" bipartisan support in the House. He warned, however, that Senate modifications could "muck it up."
Justice Department investigations underway
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced last week that the Justice Department had launched federal probes into individuals named in recently released Epstein estate documents, including former President Bill Clinton and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. The House resolution permits Bondi to withhold materials that "would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution."
The measure follows years of piecemeal disclosures. In February, the Justice Department released a limited batch of Epstein-related files but later declared no further releases would occur, prompting bipartisan efforts to force transparency. The push gained momentum last week when the newest House member signed onto the petition, securing the votes needed for Tuesday's floor debate.
