Both chambers of Congress have agreed to order the US Department of Justice to release its files on sex offender financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the measure with a 427-1 vote, while the Senate fast-tracked it without a formal vote.
This move comes in light of President Donald Trump's recent change of heart, urging Congress to vote for disclosure following public pressure from his supporters.
The context around Trump's ties to Epstein resurfaced after the release of over 20,000 pages of documents mentioning the president, which the White House denied any wrongdoing related to.
Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, was the only objector in the House, citing concerns about innocent people being impacted by the files' release.
Trump's shift from opposing the release to claiming “there’s nothing to hide” has surprised many in Washington, especially since Republican leadership previously aligned with his original stance against transparency.
House Speaker Mike Johnson had previously denounced calls for the files to be released as a 'Democrat hoax', yet voted for the measure himself.
The public push for releasing the files was led by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, who both co-sponsored the legislation. The bill requires the Attorney General to release unclassified documents related to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of enactment, but it allows for withholding information that might compromise ongoing investigations or identify abuse victims.
The release of the Epstein files holds significant implications, considering Epstein's controversial past, including his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor and his connection with influential figures.
As the initiative now heads to the president’s desk, a promise of transparency hangs in the balance.
