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By Adeola Adeosun and Gabe Whisnant
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Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reached an agreement with House Republicans on Tuesday to testify later this month in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, averting a potential contempt of Congress vote.
Under the agreement, Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee on February 26, followed by Bill Clinton on February 27. It will be the first time a former president has been compelled to testify before Congress.
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The agreement came together Monday evening as Kentucky Representative James Comer, the Republican chair of the committee, was advancing criminal contempt of Congress charges against both Clintons for defying congressional subpoenas issued in August.
“We look forward to now questioning the Clintons as part of our investigation into the horrific crimes of Epstein and Maxwell, to deliver transparency and accountability for the American people and for survivors,” Comer said in a statement Tuesday.
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Why It Matters
There have been bipartisan calls for more transparency over Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking charges. U.S. lawmakers have released troves of documents pertaining to Epstein and have furthered investigations into the handling of the case.
Last week, the Republican-led committee approved the contempt resolution against Bill Clinton 34-8, and the vote on Hillary Clinton was 28-15 on Wednesday, after both did not appear for subpoenaed depositions.
The Clintons have criticized Comer for seeking their testimony while the Justice Department missed a congressionally mandated deadline to release its full cache of Epstein-related files, saying the demands were politically motivated. But the committee said it was necessary for them to testify.
If the contempt resolution goes forward and a former president and former presidential candidate end up in jail, it will be of remarkable historical significance and show the far-reaching consequences of the Epstein case and its ability to permeate in unexpected areas of U.S. politics.
What To Know
Angel Ureña, a spokesman for the Clintons, indicated on X Monday that the pair "will be there."
Newsweek viewed a letter from the Clintons' attorneys to Comer confirming their clients would appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates.
Comer initially rejected an offer from the Clintons' attorneys to have Bill Clinton conduct a transcribed interview and Hillary Clinton submit a sworn declaration.
The committee chair insisted both must sit for sworn depositions to fulfill the subpoenas. A committee letter indicates the Clintons had proposed a four-hour transcribed interview for Bill Clinton on matters related to Epstein investigations and prosecutions, with Hillary Clinton providing a sworn declaration.
Despite Comer's statement that he had not received written confirmation, Newsweek viewed a letter the Clintons' attorneys sent to Comer stating: "Please be advised, and please advise the Chairman, that my clients accept the terms of your letter and will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates. As has been the Committee's practice, please confirm the House will not move forward with contempt proceedings, as the Chairman stated in his letter this morning."
Bill Clinton's relationship with Epstein has become a focal point for Republicans seeking accountability over the late financier, who killed himself in 2019 in a New York jail cell while facing sex trafficking charges. Clinton, like several high-powered men, had a well-documented relationship with Epstein in the late 1990s and early 2000s, though he has not been accused of wrongdoing in his interactions with Epstein.
The Republican-controlled Oversight panel advanced criminal contempt charges last month, with nine of the committee's 21 Democrats joining Republicans in supporting charges against Bill Clinton, arguing for full transparency. Three Democrats also supported advancing charges against Hillary Clinton.
What People Are Saying
House Oversight Committee on X: "After defying lawful subpoenas, Bill and Hillary Clinton are trying to dodge contempt by requesting special treatment. The Clintons are not above the law."
Angel Ureña, the Clintons' Spokesman, responding to the Oversight Committee on X: "They negotiated in good faith. You did not. They told you under oath what they know, but you don't care. But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone."
Kentucky Republican James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said: **"**The Clintons do not get to dictate the terms of lawful subpoenas."
Representative Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, on X last week: "Bill Clinton just refused to show up for his deposition in the Epstein investigation for the second time. We fully support @GOPOversight holding Bill Clinton in contempt. No one is above the law. Not even a former president. Survivors deserve answers. Silence protects predators."
**Democratic Party strategist Donna Brazile, replying to the Clintons' letter on X last week: "**This is how you do it. Thank you Mr President and Madam Former First Lady, US Senator and Secretary of State. You fight back and we will stand with you."
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Update 2/2/26, 7:57 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 2/3/26, 1:51 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks. The headline has been updated with the latest information.
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