A major vote is poised in the House that could force the Justice Department to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein. Amid months of resistance from both Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, the measure now stands on the cusp of passing—driven by bipartisan lawmakers and survivors who say the public deserves the truth.
From Back-Room Tactic to Floor Vote
It began with a small group of House lawmakers filing a petition in July to skirt Speaker Johnson’s tight control over what bills reach the floor. Their goal: force disclosure of the Epstein files. Trump called the effort a “hoax,” but the tide turned when he announced he would sign the bill if it reached his desk. That set the stage for a large majority in the House.
Survivors Demand a Day of Reckoning
Outside the Capitol, survivors of Epstein’s abuse pressed their case. “These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight. And they did it by banding together and never giving up,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. She added, “That’s what we did by fighting so hard against the most powerful people in the world, even the president of the United States, in order to make this vote happen today.”
Trump’s Reversal and Political Fallout
Trump claimed he cut ties with Epstein years ago but insisted the files might harm the Republican Party’s narrative. He told reporters that Epstein was connected to more Democrats and said he didn’t want the matter to “detract from the great success of the Republican Party.” Many in the GOP base kept up pressure for disclosure. “We are exhausted from surviving the trauma and then surviving the political conflicts that surround it,” said abuse survivor Jena-Lisa Jones. She told Trump: “I beg you Donald Trump, please stop making this political.”
Johnson’s Playbook and the Road Ahead
Speaker Johnson opted to bring the bill to the floor this week under a procedure requiring a two-thirds majority. He voiced concerns the legislation could force release of sensitive federal-investigation details normally kept private and called the upcoming vote “a political show vote on the Epstein files.” Yet he said he will vote for the bill. Democrats hailed the move as a rare win for minority power. “It’s a complete and total surrender, because as Democrats we made clear from the very beginning, the survivors and the American people deserve full and complete transparency as it relates to the lives that were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.
What’s Next in the Senate?
The bill would require the Justice Department to release, within 30 days, all files and communications related to Epstein—including details of the investigation into his death in federal custody. Redactions could be made for ongoing investigations or victim protections, but not for “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune has been non-committal, saying he trusts the Justice Department to act. Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna warned the Senate against amendments that would dilute the bill. “We’ve needlessly dragged this out for four months,” Massie said, adding those raising problems are “afraid that people will be embarrassed. Well, that’s the whole point here.”
Why This Vote Matters
If passed, the bill marks a turning point for accountability. It shows that survivors and bipartisan lawmakers can overcome both executive and legislative resistance. It also signals a shift toward transparency in one of the most notorious cases in recent history. The vote doesn’t guarantee full justice—but it could open the door to a clearer picture of what happened and who was involved.
