The US House of Representatives on November 18, 2025, overwhelmingly passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in a near unanimous 427-1 vote, with only one Republican, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, opposing the measure.

Shortly after the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled that the Senate would move “fairly quickly” to pass the bill the same evening, paving the way for it to reach the President’s desk for signature. Once enacted, the legislation would require the release of all unclassified documents related to the Epstein files held by the US Department of Justice.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking on the House Floor before the vote, questioned the timing of the renewed focus on the case. “Why now? Why the sudden urgent interest in Jeffrey Epstein? Look, we know why,” he said. “It’s because the Democrats were never interested in transparency or executing justice or protecting the victims of this unspeakable tragedy before.”

Speaker Johnson alleged that Democrats were using the issue as a “political weapon” to distract from their own shortcomings and to attempt to tie President Trump to the “wretched scandal.” He added that the President supported releasing the records, stating, “He’s been very clear, and he has nothing to hide, and that’s why he’s endorsed the vote today.”

Earlier in the day, Representatives Ro Khanna, Thomas Massie, main sponsors of the Bill, along with Marjorie Taylor Greene held a press conference at the House Triangle alongside survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. The event followed the success of a discharge petition spearheaded by Reps. Khanna and Massie, which reached the required 218 signatures to force a floor vote.

After survivors delivered emotional statements, Rep. Khanna praised their determination. “It’s pretty big what the survivors have accomplished today, and I just want to say how eloquent, strong and admirable they were,” he said.

Rep. Massie emphasized that survivors had consistently been in “favor” of the legislation and pushed back on claims from Speaker Johnson and Sen. Thune that the bill lacked adequate protections for victims. He added that leadership was now shifting its stance. “I think the speaker wants to save face. He’s going to vote for a piece of legislation today that he’s disparaged for four months,” Massie said.

Rep. Massie also urged the United States to follow the example set by the United Kingdom, noting, “A prince lost his title. The ambassador to the United States lost his job. We need to see those same kinds of consequences here.”

Rep. Khanna added that he believes Prince Andrew should testify before the House Oversight Committee, stressing that accountability should transcend partisanship. He also urged the President to meet with survivors when signing the bill. “I hope he meets them, because I think if anyone who meets them and sees their emotion will be moved,” he said.

Rep. Greene voiced frustration with what she described as delays and internal conflict. “I only take people’s actions seriously, no longer words,” she said, adding that the prolonged fight over releasing the documents had “ripped MAGA apart.” She told survivors that only concrete action would matter, saying, “And the American people won’t tolerate any other bullshit.”

A dozen survivors joined the press conference, outlining the systemic failures and political obstacles they say have long impeded justice. They argued that full disclosure is essential for “transparency and accountability,” urging Congress to act swiftly.

Survivor Haley Robson described the emotional toll of the delays, saying, “You have put us through so much stress, the lockdown, the halt of these procedures that were supposed to have happened 50 days ago.” She pleaded with lawmakers to “choose the survivors, choose the children, protect the children, all children.”

Another survivor, Lisa Phillips, noted that survivors had begun uncovering information on their own. “Last time I stood here, I made a promise to all survivors watching, if those in power refused to release the truth, we would start uncovering it ourselves,” she said, adding that more survivors had come forward with new information and evidence.

Jena-Lisa Jones stressed that the issue should have unified the country. “In fact, it should have united us,” she said, noting that sexual abuse is not a partisan matter. “We are here as American survivors of a man who used his wealth and power to hurt young girls and women.”

Wendy Avis described the burden survivors carry as they continue to advocate publicly. “We are exhausted from surviving the trauma and then surviving the politics that swirl around it,” she said.

Another survivor, Danielle Bensky, emphasized the diversity of the group. She said they represent “women across America” of various backgrounds and beliefs, unified in their demand for transparency.

Annie Farmer recalled that she and her sister Maria Farmer were abused by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. She reiterated that survivors have consistently framed their pursuit of justice as nonpartisan, offering a historical overview of how administrations from 1996 to 2025 handled the case.

Sky Roberts, brother of the late Virginia Giuffre, said the family remained committed to advancing his sister’s fight. “We find ourselves in a place of deep sorrow, shattered by the loss of our beloved sister, yet we are honored and privileged to carry her voice forward,” he said.

Other survivors, including Sharlene Rochard and Lara Blume McGee, also shared their accounts, further underscoring calls for the immediate release of the Epstein files.

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