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Both chambers of the U.S. Congress have approved legislation ordering the Department of Justice to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, bringing the records one step closer to President Donald Trump’s desk.
The House of Representatives passed the measure 427-1, while the Senate fast-tracked it unanimously under a unanimous consent procedure. The legislation mandates Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all unclassified records, communications, and investigative materials related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days, though she may withhold information that could compromise ongoing investigations or reveal victim identities.
The approval comes days after Trump reversed his position, publicly urging Congress to release the files amid criticism from some supporters. Republican Clay Higgins was the sole House member to oppose the measure, citing concerns about potential harm to innocent individuals.
The files include flight logs, internal Justice Department communications, and materials referencing individuals connected to Epstein. Last week, more than 20,000 pages of documents were made public, with some emails mentioning Trump. However, the White House has consistently denied any wrongdoing by the president.
Epstein, a financier, was found dead in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein’s crimes. Survivor advocacy has been a driving force behind the release of these files, with relatives and abuse survivors praising the legislative action as a step toward accountability.
The bipartisan effort to release the files was spearheaded by Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democrat Ro Khanna of California. Other Republican advocates, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, have also voiced support for survivors and the bill, highlighting the importance of transparency.
