Payam Javan: In a rare moment of bipartisan unity, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to advance a bill requiring the Department of Justice to publicly release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House had already passed the measure earlier in the day in an overwhelming 427–1 vote, clearing the way for the legislation to reach President Donald Trump’s desk. Lawmakers from both chambers framed the move as a long-overdue step toward transparency in a case that has fueled public suspicion for years.
The bill compels the DOJ to hand over all unclassified documents and investigative materials tied to Epstein, along with classified records, within 30 days of becoming law. Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana cast the lone dissenting vote, warning that the legislation, as currently written, risks exposing private information about innocent individuals. Higgins argued that abandoning established criminal-justice safeguards could lead to collateral damage once the media gains access to sensitive investigative files.
The congressional push gained momentum following Trump’s call for Republicans to support releasing the documents—an about-face from earlier years when he dismissed demands for disclosure as politically motivated. The move comes after previous investigations, including one by the House Oversight Committee, released thousands of documents detailing Epstein’s extensive connections to global elites and high-profile public figures. Under the new bill, the DOJ may redact information related to victims or ongoing federal probes but cannot withhold details simply to prevent embarrassment or political fallout.
For survivors who have pressed for years for full accountability, the bill marks a significant step toward exposing the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s crimes and his 2019 death in federal custody. Standing with victims at the Capitol, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene praised their persistence, calling their pursuit of justice “a fight no woman should ever have to endure.” The legislation also requires the release of materials tied to the federal investigation of Epstein’s death—an area long clouded by public skepticism. The measure now awaits President Trump’s signature.
