Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill compelling the Justice Department to release all investigative files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking a major legislative milestone after months of GOP infighting. The House voted 427-1, with Republican Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana casting the lone dissenting vote.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Republican leaders must decide whether to advance it to President Donald Trump’s desk. The president has indicated that he will sign the bill if it reaches him, reversing his previous position in which he had dismissed calls for disclosure as a “Democratic hoax.”
The House vote follows public pressure from Epstein’s survivors and advocates. At a recent news conference, survivors and family members urged Congress to act swiftly. “These survivors are not political tools for you to use,” said the brother of the late Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims.
If enacted, the measure would require the Justice Department to release the full scope of its investigative files on Epstein, shedding light on his criminal network and the handling of his cases. Supporters argue that public disclosure is essential for transparency, accountability, and justice for victims, while opponents raised concerns about privacy and ongoing legal sensitivities.
The House vote represents a rare moment of near-unanimity in a deeply divided Congress, underscoring bipartisan support for increased oversight of the Justice Department’s handling of high-profile cases.
