US House Overwhelmingly Passes Epstein Files Transparency Act

The United States House of Representatives decisively approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 18, 2025. This critical legislative measure mandates the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all non-classified materials pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days following the bill's enactment. The vote demonstrated overwhelming support for disclosure, passing with a margin of 423 votes to 1.

Beyond the general requirement for public disclosure, the legislation includes specific directives aimed at the nation's top legal officer. It stipulates that the Attorney General must furnish a list of politically significant individuals connected to Epstein within 15 days of the Act becoming law. This requirement follows previous public statements, notably by Pam Bondi, who had indicated that Epstein's client list was already “on her desk” for thorough review. The transparency initiative was championed by a bipartisan duo: Representatives Thomas Massie, a Republican representing Kentucky, and Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California.

Despite initial resistance from former President Donald Trump, who subsequently reversed his stance, the legislation ultimately garnered broad, deep bipartisan backing. House Speaker Mike Johnson lent his support to the bill, though he did voice concerns regarding the necessity of protecting the privacy of victims. The House vote was conducted under a “suspension of the rules” procedure, which mandates a two-thirds majority for passage. The detailed final count under this procedure registered 427 votes in favor, with only one dissenting vote cast by Representative Clay Higgins, who argued for the protection of innocent witnesses.

The push for full transparency was significantly fueled by the tireless efforts of Epstein’s survivors, working in close collaboration with key congressional figures. Their advocacy proved instrumental in advancing the law through the legislative labyrinth. Notably, Representative Adelita Grijalva played a crucial role by signing a discharge petition, a procedural move that helped expedite the bill's consideration and force the measure onto the House floor for a vote.

The potential public release of these documents is expected to shed considerable light on the true scope of Epstein's influence, covering materials dating back to 2008 and including information surrounding the circumstances of his death in 2019. Attention now pivots to the Senate. Reports indicate that Senate Majority Leader John Thune has agreed to pass the legislation by unanimous consent once it is formally transmitted from the House. This procedural maneuver would bypass a lengthy debate, leading to its automatic adoption and dispatch to the President for signature.

The ongoing discussion surrounding the bill centers on striking a delicate balance between the necessity for redactions to safeguard the personal information of victims and the public's fundamental right to complete transparency. Crucially, the Act explicitly forbids the withholding of information based on reasons of “awkwardness, reputational damage, or political sensitivity.” Representative Ro Khanna characterized the passage of the bill as “a day of real reckoning for the Epstein class,” signaling a major step toward accountability for those involved.