What the Bill Is Designed to Do
The Epstein Files Transparency Act is a new law that tells the Department of Justice to release all unclassified records related to its investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. These records include interviews, emails, memos, and other materials that haven’t been made public.
The bill doesn’t cover classified intelligence or sealed court documents. It focuses on materials the government already holds but hasn’t shared. According to CBS News, the DOJ will have 30 days to publish the files once the bill is signed into law.
Some parts of the records will be redacted to protect survivors and people who were never accused of any crime. Lawmakers said the goal is to balance transparency with privacy.
How Congress Voted
The House passed the bill with a vote of 427–1. Only Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana opposed it. He said the bill “abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure” and could “reveal and injure thousands of innocent people”.
The Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent, meaning no senator objected. There was no debate or roll call vote. The measure passed quickly and was sent to President Trump’s desk the same day.
Lawmakers from both parties supported the bill. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) co-sponsored it. They said the public deserves to know what the government found during its investigation.
What Trump Said About the Bill
President Trump had opposed the bill for months. He pressured Republican lawmakers not to support it, according to CNBC. But just days before the vote, he changed his position.
Trump said he had “nothing to hide” and told Republicans to vote yes. His reversal helped clear the way for near-unanimous support. Axios reported that “Trump on Monday indicated that he would sign the legislation if it passed both chambers”.
The bill now awaits Trump’s signature. Once signed, the DOJ will begin preparing the release. Survivors and lawmakers expect the files to provide new insight into Epstein’s network and how the case was handled.
Why Survivors Spoke Out
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse were present at the Capitol during the vote. Lisa Phillips, who spoke at a news conference, held a photo of herself as a child and urged lawmakers to act. She said the release of the files would help bring clarity and accountability.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who stood with survivors, said the bill was about “giving victims a voice and making sure the truth comes out”.
Lawmakers emphasized that the bill doesn’t name victims or expose personal details. It focuses on government records and investigative materials that have been kept from the public.
What Happens Next
Once the bill is signed, the DOJ will have 30 days to release the records. The files must be posted online in a searchable format. Redactions will be allowed to protect survivors and people who were never charged.
House Oversight Chair James Comer also issued subpoenas to J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank for Epstein’s financial records, signaling that more disclosures may follow.
The release is expected to raise new questions about how Epstein operated and who may have been involved. Lawmakers say it’s a step toward transparency, not a final answer.
