One Brave 'No': Clay Higgins Stands Alone on Epstein Files Release Vote

Wed Nov 19 2025 11:28:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a rare moment of bipartisanship, the House overwhelmingly voted to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, but one lawmaker, Clay Higgins, voiced his strong dissent.

The US House of Representatives voted 427-1 in favor of a bill to release documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking a rare moment of bipartisan support. The only dissenting vote came from Republican Congressman Clay Higgins, who expressed concern that the bill would compromise the privacy of innocent people connected to the case. Higgins stated he would consider supporting the bill if it were amended, but doubts remain about its chances in the Senate. His vote underscores ongoing tension regarding criminal justice and media transparency.

Nearly every Republican in the US House of Representatives voted on a bill to compel the release of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The lone 'nay' came from the Republican lawmaker from Louisiana, Clay Higgins, who defied his party saying his vote was a principled 'NO.'

What was wrong with the bill three months ago is still wrong today, Higgins wrote on X. It abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure in America.

The resounding vote in favor of the Epstein bill, 427-1, marks a rare moment of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill. Hours later, the US Senate also approved the legislation, clearing the way for the final act - President Donald Trump's signature.

For Higgins, safeguarding the personal information of Epstein's many victims was the primary issue with the legislation.

As written, this bill reveals and injures thousands of innocent people – witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members, etc, he wrote on X. If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt.

Higgins has represented Louisiana's third district since 2017 and is widely regarded as one of the most conservative members of Congress.