By Hannah Parry, Amanda Castro, and Matt Cannon
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The Senate moved quickly Tuesday to approve legislation requiring the Justice Department to release records tied to its case against Jeffrey Epstein. The vote came just hours after the House overwhelmingly advanced the measure, sending it toward President Donald Trump’s desk.
What To Know
- The House passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on a 427-1 vote earlier Tuesday
- The Senate followed by unanimous consent, avoiding a roll call and speeding approval
- The bill directs the Justice Department to disclose unclassified records related to Epstein
- Senate leaders emphasized transparency and accountability for victims who have long sought answers
- Schumer said survivors “have waited long enough” for the files to be released
- The measure caps months of tension between congressional Republicans and the White House over how to handle the records
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Nov 18, 2025 at 08:30 PM EST
What is the Jeffrey Epstein client list?
The so-called Jeffrey Epstein client list refers to the names of individuals who the convicted sex offender allegedly trafficked young girls to, and subsequently blackmailed.
The Justice Department and FBI issued a memo earlier this year denying the existence of any such "client list" and said there would be no further charges related to Epstein. "This systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list.' There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his action," the memo, obtained by Axios, read.
The memo appeared to spark incredulity on X, formerly Twitter, where podcasters The Hodge Twins, wrote: "Ghislaine Maxwell is in prison for 20 years for sex trafficking kids with Epstein. And the DOJ and FBI just said that there is no client list, he didn't blackmail nobody, and nobody else is getting charged. So they sex trafficked kids to nobody??"
Nov 18, 2025 at 08:16 PM EST
What is unanimous consent?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday he will seek unanimous consent to pass the House‑approved Epstein Files Transparency Act, which orders the Justice Department to release additional records tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
But what is it?
Unanimous consent is a procedural shortcut used in legislative bodies and meetings to approve actions quickly without a formal vote, provided no one objects.
The process begins when the presiding officer proposes an action, such as adopting an agenda or advancing a bill. A brief pause allows members to raise objections. If none are voiced, the action is approved automatically—often with the phrase, “Without objection, so ordered.” If even one member objects, the request fails, and the group must proceed with the standard process, such as a motion and recorded vote.
The practice is common in Congress, where it helps manage the chamber’s workload by expediting debate limits, waiving rules, or passing non‑controversial measures. It is also used in corporate boards and routine meetings to streamline approvals.
Nov 18, 2025 at 07:49 PM EST
Also in the news: Education Department transfers grant programs as shutdown plan advances
The Trump administration took a significant step toward dismantling the U.S. Education Department this week, signing agreements that shift billions of dollars in federal grant programs to other agencies.
Six deals will reassign some of the department’s most significant funding streams, including Title I aid for schools serving low‑income students, which the Department of Labor will now oversee.
The move follows President Donald Trump’s March executive action calling for the department’s elimination. Until now, the effort has primarily focused on job cuts, but the transfer of grant programs marks a significant escalation in the administration’s plan to wind down the agency.
Nov 18, 2025 at 07:21 PM EST
How did Jeffrey Epstein make his fortune?
Epstein began working at investment bank Bear Stearns as a junior assistant to a floor trader in 1976. He later became an options trader and adviser to some of the bank's wealthiest clients.
Epstein became a limited partner in 1980 but was asked to leave the company a year later. He founded a consulting firm called Intercontinental Assets Group Inc. (IAG) and a financial management firm called J. Epstein & Company.
He also worked as a consultant for the collection agency Towers Financial Corporation.
Epstein also invested in hedge funds and owned property in New York, Florida, New Mexico, France and the Virgin Islands.
Nov 18, 2025 at 07:15 PM EST
Was Jeffrey Epstein a billionaire? Net worth explained
Jeffrey Epstein's net worth stood at over half a billion dollars before his death, according to court documents.
Lawyers for Epstein disclosed information about his financial standing during his 2019 criminal proceedings.
In a 2019 financial disclosure filed by Epstein's lawyers, his total assets were $559,120,954.
His total cash was listed as $56,547,773. His fixed income was $14,304,679, and his equities $112,679,138. He had $194,986,301 in hedge funds and private equity.
He also owned multiple multimillion-dollar properties.
Nov 18, 2025 at 06:58 PM EST
How to watch ‘Surviving Jeffrey Epstein’
The Lifetime documentary series Surviving Jeffrey Epstein premiered in August 2020, offering a four‑hour examination of the disgraced financier’s abuse and the network of power that shielded him.
Directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern, the series features first‑person accounts from women who survived Epstein’s exploitation, echoing the format of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly. The program highlights how Epstein leveraged his wealth and connections to evade accountability while survivors struggled for justice.
The single‑season series consists of four episodes and is available to stream on multiple platforms, including Lifetime, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, and Apple TV. Executive producers include Sundberg, Stern, Celia Aniskovich, and Robin Espinola.
Nov 18, 2025 at 06:29 PM EST
Key moments leading to House passage of Epstein files bill
The debate over releasing Jeffrey Epstein’s records has shadowed President Donald Trump’s administration for months, culminating in a decisive House vote.
In February, the Justice Department and FBI published 341 pages of declassified material, though most of it was already public. By July, officials announced no further releases were planned.
Momentum shifted in September when the House Oversight Committee unveiled more than 33,000 pages of Epstein‑related documents. On Nov. 12, Democrats disclosed three new emails from the Epstein estate referencing Trump, prompting Republicans to accuse them of cherry‑picking. GOP members responded by releasing the full 23,000 pages. That same day, a petition gained enough support to force a vote, aided by newly sworn Rep. Adelita Grijalva.
By Nov. 16, Trump himself urged Republicans to back disclosure, reversing weeks of criticism that the push was a partisan distraction. Two days later, the House overwhelmingly passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, 427‑1, sending the measure to the Senate.
Nov 18, 2025 at 06:13 PM EST
Also in the news: House condemns García over retirement, successor choice
The House voted 236‑183 Tuesday to condemn Rep. Jesús G. García, Democrat of Illinois, for retiring in a way critics say allowed him to effectively hand‑pick his successor. Twenty‑three Democrats supported the resolution, while three voted present.
The measure was introduced by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, who urged colleagues not to let party loyalty obscure principle. “If you’re not going to run, you don’t get to choose your successor,” she said during the debate.
García rejected accusations of impropriety, citing health and family concerns behind his decision to step aside after filing for re‑election. His chief of staff, Patty García, filed to run just hours before the deadline, and the congressman announced his retirement the next day. She is currently the only Democrat in the race for a seat García won with more than 67 percent of the vote in 2024.
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:55 PM EST
Lawmakers react online after House passes Epstein files bill
Members of Congress took to X on Tuesday to voice support after the House overwhelmingly passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Rep. Bill Foster of Illinois said the vote affirmed that “no one, no matter how wealthy or powerful, is above the law.” Oregon Democrat Janelle Bynum added that “the American people deserve transparency, and the survivors deserve justice.”
California’s John Garamendi urged former President Donald Trump to direct the Justice Department to release the records, a demand echoed by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who wrote: “Release the damn files NOW!!”
Republican Mariannette Miller‑Meeks of Iowa called the measure “an important step toward ensuring every victim is heard, every predator is exposed.”
Attention now shifts to the Senate, where Democrats are pressing for swift action. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s caucus posted that Majority Leader John Thune should allow a vote immediately. Sen. Patty Murray added: “The Senate should vote to release the Epstein files ASAP. This is long overdue.”
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:53 PM EST
WATCH: Chuck Schumer calls on Senate to pass Epstein files bill ‘unamended’ and without delay
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:40 PM EST
Rep. Clarke calls Republican, Trump last-minute support for Epstein bill a ‘tactical retreat’
Democrat Rep. Yvette D. Clarke has accused House Republicans and President Donald Trump of making a "tactical retreat" over their last-minute support for the bill to force the DOJ to release the Epstein files.
"Following Donald Trump and House Republicans' long struggle to stall, impede, and obstruct the Epstein Files Discharge Petition by all means available to them, today, I voted unanimously alongside my Democratic colleagues to release the files," she said in a post on X. "We should have had the opportunity to do so months ago.
"Despite the GOP’s Trump-ordered heel turn at the eleventh hour, their role in delaying the petition outweighs any superficial part they played in its passage. It was only when the president recognized how severely he was losing this fight and how poorly his opposition reflected upon him that he instructed his Congressional puppets to adjust their course.
"This was a tactical retreat, not a meaningful reversal," she continued. "While my colleagues may have changed their votes, their goal remains the same: to cover up heinous sex crimes in service of the most powerful, most despicable men in America. That truth is best reflected in their master’s refusal to release the Epstein Files despite campaigning on that very promise.
"If Donald Trump is innocent, he has all the power to prove it. Given his unwillingness to do so, he has evidently decided the only way to clear his name is to wipe all the dirt off it first, no matter how many criminals elude accountability along the way. His party is more than willing to assist him in that malicious mission. They all will fail. When they do, both the pedophiles they protected and the victims they abandoned will know justice."
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:39 PM EST
Senate fast-tracks Epstein files bill after overwhelming House vote
The Senate on Tuesday swiftly approved legislation requiring the Justice Department to release records tied to its case against Jeffrey Epstein, acting just hours after the House advanced the measure on a 427-1 vote, Politico reported.
Senators passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act by unanimous consent, a procedure that bypasses a roll call and speeds consideration. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump, who had resisted the measure for months.
“This is about giving the American people the transparency they’ve been crying for,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said before the vote. “Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough.”
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:30 PM EST
When was Jeffrey Epstein arrested?
Jeffrey Epstein’s legal troubles might have ended with his 2008 plea deal. Still, a 2018 Miami Herald investigation reignited scrutiny by uncovering new allegations and detailing how he manipulated the justice system to halt an FBI probe and secure immunity for potential co‑conspirators. The reporting identified about 80 women who said Epstein abused them between 2001 and 2006.
In 2019, federal agents arrested Epstein in New York, charging him with trafficking girls as young as 14. He died later that year in jail while awaiting trial, with authorities ruling his death a suicide.
President Donald Trump responded at the time by demanding a “full investigation” into Epstein’s network, suggesting influential figures could face accountability. Yet in 2020, Trump expressed sympathy for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, telling Axios’ Jonathan Swan, “I do wish her well. I’m not looking for anything bad for her.”
The revelations and Trump’s mixed comments underscored the enduring controversy surrounding Epstein’s crimes and the broader questions of who may have enabled them.
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:29 PM EST
Senate poised to fast-track Epstein files bill after House passage: Report
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer secured unanimous consent Tuesday to ensure the chamber will swiftly take up the House-passed Epstein Files Transparency Act once it arrives.
The legislation, approved in the House by an overwhelming 427-1 margin, directs the Justice Department to release all unclassified records related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose ties to powerful figures have fueled years of scrutiny.
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:27 PM EST
Ansari calls House vote on Epstein files a step toward accountability
Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, an original cosponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, issued a statement Tuesday after voting in favor of the measure.
“I voted YES to release the Epstein Files because the American people deserve the full truth and survivors deserve justice,” Ansari said, criticizing former President Donald Trump and his Justice Department for refusing to comply with a subpoena demanding the release of unredacted records.
Ansari accused Republicans of enabling a “cover‑up” and said the vote marked a turning point. “Republicans can’t hide anymore. Donald Trump can’t hide anymore,” she added, pledging to continue pressing for accountability.
The bill, H.R. 4405, compels the Justice Department to disclose Epstein‑related files while protecting victim identities and ongoing investigations. It passed the House with broad bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate.
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:15 PM EST
Warren urges Harvard to cut ties with Larry Summers over Epstein links
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks to reporters following a vote on Capitol Hill on November 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. | Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D‑Mass.) called on Harvard University to sever ties with former president Larry Summers following the release of newly revealed emails detailing his years of correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee last week published thousands of documents from Epstein’s estate, including exchanges in which Summers sought Epstein’s advice on personal matters and made sexist remarks. Summers, who has previously expressed regret over his association with Epstein, continued contact with him even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving minors.
Warren, a former Harvard Law professor, told CNN that Summers “cannot be trusted” with students, given his willingness to maintain ties with Epstein. “His willingness to cozy up to a convicted sex offender demonstrates monumentally bad judgment,” she said.
Summers, a longtime economic adviser who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, remains a prominent Harvard faculty member and a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. CAP said it is reviewing the disclosures to determine next steps.
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:00 PM EST
Massie slams Johnson over potential Senate amendment to Epstein files bill
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, one of the two cosponsors of the bill to force the DOJ to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, has criticized Speaker Mike Johnson for supporting potential Senate amendments to the House-passed legislation
"This is how Speaker Johnson plans to protect perverts who went to the rape island from embarrassment," Massie wrote on X, next to a list Johnson shared of "dangers" of the discharge petition. They included, "Risks disclosure of non-credible allegations, creating new victims."
"Do not let the Senate add an amendment to avoid disclosing those rich and powerful men who have evaded justice for so many years. Is Johnson calling all victims “non-credible?" he added.
Nov 18, 2025 at 04:45 PM EST
Rep. Garcia demands no pardon, commutation for Ghislaine Maxwell
Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the House Oversight Committee’s top Democrat, demanded on the House floor on Tuesday that President Donald Trump vows to offer no pardon for Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
"He should declare and every Republican should say that she does not deserve a commutation or pardon," he said.
Garcia added that Trump had not reversed course on releasing the files "out of the goodness of his heart" but because he feared losing a "major vote" in the House.
Nov 18, 2025 at 04:35 PM EST
How to watch ‘Surviving Jeffrey Epstein’ documentary
Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, a four-part documentary series, is available for streaming on Apple TV, Prime Video, Tubi and Lifetime.
Episodes can also be viewed on A&E Crime Central, or purchased from YouTube.
Nov 18, 2025 at 04:30 PM EST
When will the Epstein files be released?
The next step to secure the release of the Epstein files will be a vote in the Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on Tuesday there is “no certainty” that the bill will be processed in the Senate.” He believes that if the Senate works on the bill, it will make further amendments. He has said the bill should be amended to protect the information of victims and whistleblowers.
Whether the Senate will pass the bill remains unclear. If it does so, it would head to Trump’s desk for his signature. Trump has said he would sign the bill.
rmer federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Newsweek the DOJ could still assert legal privileges over the files.
“Regardless of whether Trump signs it into law or Congress overrides his veto, the DOJ can still assert those privileges,” he said. “There may be a fight that the courts will have to sort through. It’s not necessarily going to be the law is passed and the DOJ just turns over the files.”
The DOJ could argue for law enforcement privilege, deliberative process privilege, or executive privilege to block the release of the filings, Rahmani said. That process could take months or even more than a year if it goes to the Supreme Court.
Only two categories would have to be redacted, Rahmani said. Anything related to grand jury materials or to the protection of victims' personal information must be redacted. Any other information being redacted would be considered “improper,” he said.
Former federal prosecutor Shanlon Wu told Newsweek he believes the DOJ will "begin to delay and limit release using the reason that they are now conducting an 'active investigation' so full release might compromise their investigation."
"If the above delay commences, then there is no easy way to predict how long it will take, nor what will be released as DOJ and Trump can tie it up on courts for maybe the entire Trump term of office," Wu said. "While it may appear that the new investigation seems bogus and unjustified, that will not inhibit the DOJ from potentially limiting and refusing to release files."
Nov 18, 2025 at 04:29 PM EST
Who was the former cellmate of Jeffrey Epstein?
Jeffrey Epstein’s former cellmate was Nicholas Tartaglione, a retired New York police officer convicted of murdering four men in a 2016 drug-related plot.
Tartaglione shared a cell with Epstein in July 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, around the time Epstein was placed on suicide watch after being found injured in his cell.
Tartaglione remains in prison where he is serving four consecutive life sentences.
Nov 18, 2025 at 04:23 PM EST
Schumer says he’ll move to pass Epstein bill in Senate by unanimous consent
Nov 18, 2025 at 04:20 PM EST
Democracy defenders fund praises House vote on Epstein files
The Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) on Tuesday applauded the House of Representatives for passing legislation that would force the Trump administration to release the full set of Jeffrey Epstein files.
Ambassador (ret.) Norm Eisen, the group’s executive chair, called the vote “an important step forward for the countless victims and for the American public,” stressing that President Trump could order the release at any time. Eisen accused Trump’s Justice Department and congressional allies of “slowrolling and stonewalling” to conceal records linking Trump to Epstein.
The organization has filed Freedom of Information Act requests and a lawsuit seeking documents that reference Trump, his Mar‑a‑Lago residence, and the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Eisen said DDF will continue pursuing litigation alongside the congressional effort, which now moves to the Senate.
Nov 18, 2025 at 04:07 PM EST
Donald Trump Jr. targets Democrats over Epstein controversy
Donald Trump Jr. on Tuesday accused Democrats of hypocrisy in their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, arguing that scrutiny has unfairly centered on his father while ignoring others.
Nov 18, 2025 at 03:54 PM EST
Also in the news: Trump touts Saudi investment, faces limits on Abraham Accords
Trump has promoted what he describes as $21 trillion in investment tied to Saudi Arabia, though White House figures suggest the total is closer to $8 trillion. The discrepancy has raised questions, but Saudi leaders see U.S. investment as a way to diversify their economy beyond energy and expect substantial returns.
For Trump, the deals represent a political and economic win, which he frames as new plants, jobs, and growth for the American economy.
On the diplomatic front, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stopped short of committing to joining the Abraham Accords. While he signaled interest in being “part of it,” he emphasized that normalization with Israel remains untenable after two years of war. Analysts note that any breakthrough would require Israel to commit to a two‑state solution, something current Israeli leadership and public opinion do not support.
Nov 18, 2025 at 03:49 PM EST
Grassley urges swift Senate action on Epstein files bill
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa renewed his call Tuesday for full transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein case, pressing the Senate to act quickly on legislation that would require the release of sealed records.
“I’ve been calling for full transparency in the Epstein case since 2019. The Senate should pass ASAP,” Grassley wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Nov 18, 2025 at 03:41 PM EST
WATCH: Trump tells reporter to ‘quiet, piggy’ when asked about Epstein files
Nov 18, 2025 at 03:28 PM EST
Epstein helped Democratic lawmaker by text during Michael Cohen testimony
...
Newly released documents from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate indicate that Stacey Plaskett, the Democratic nonvoting delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, appears to have exchanged text messages with the sex offender during Michael Cohen’s 2019 House Oversight Committee testimony.
The Washington Post first reported on the messages Friday.
These revelations shed new light on Epstein’s alleged far-reaching ties and potential extent of his influence over politicians, raising questions on transparency, political relationships and oversight at the highest levels of government.
The findings arrive as the House of Representatives considers bipartisan efforts to release all files related to Epstein, underscoring renewed scrutiny of his interactions with powerful officials.
Read in full: Epstein Helped Democratic Lawmaker by Text During Michael Cohen Testimony
Nov 18, 2025 at 03:25 PM EST
Thune signals quick Senate action on Epstein files bill
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday the chamber could pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act as soon as tonight, though he emphasized the plan is to move forward this week.
Thune dismissed questions about possible amendments, noting the House approved the measure 427‑1 and that President Donald Trump has already committed to signing it.
Nov 18, 2025 at 03:15 PM EST
Larry Summers expresses shame over Epstein ties, steps back from public roles
Harvard professor and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said Monday night he is “deeply ashamed” of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, announcing he will pause public engagements while continuing to teach. Summers told CNN he intends to “rebuild trust and repair relationships” after newly released emails revealed years of personal correspondence with the convicted sex offender.
The disclosures, published last week by the House Oversight Committee, showed Summers seeking Epstein’s advice on personal matters and making offhand remarks about politics and women. The revelations prompted Sen. Elizabeth Warren to call on Harvard to sever ties with Summers, saying he “cannot be trusted” with students.
Summers’ statement followed mounting pressure from colleagues and institutions. The Center for American Progress confirmed that he will end his fellowship there, and the Economic Club of New York postponed an event featuring him. Harvard has not commented.
Summers, who resigned as Harvard’s president in 2006 amid controversy, remains one of the country’s most prominent economic voices. His continued contact with Epstein between 2013 and 2019 has drawn sharp criticism, particularly given Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offenses involving minors.
Nov 18, 2025 at 03:05 PM EST
When might Senate vote on releasing Epstein files?
The Senate could consider the House-passed bill to release the Jeffrey Epstein files as early as today.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has stated that he will request unanimous consent on the Senate floor to "immediately" pass the bill once it is sent from the House. The House overwhelmingly passed the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" in a 427-1 vote on Tuesday.
However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not yet committed to bringing the bill to the floor for a vote, while House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was confident that the Senate would want to make amendments, which could include more redactions, that would send it back to the House for approval. Democrats have criticized the move as a stalling tactic.
If the bill passes the Senate without amendments, it will head straight to President Donald Trump, who has said he will sign it.
Nov 18, 2025 at 03:02 PM EST
Jayapal honors Epstein survivors during House debate
Before the debate concluded on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington took a moment on the House floor to recognize survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse.
Jayapal read aloud the names of Haley Robson, Jena‑Lisa Jones, Michelle Licata, Ashley Rubright, Annie Farmer, Marina Lacerda, and Rachel Benavidez.
...
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:56 PM EST
Rep. Clay Higgins speaks out on why he was the only lawmaker to oppose Epstein bill
Republican lawmaker, Rep. Clay Higgins, has released a statement explaining why he was the sole representative in the House to vote against the bill to force the Justice Department to release its case files on Jeffrey Epstein.
"I have been a principled “NO” on this bill from the beginning," Higgins said Tuesday, after the vote. "What was wrong with the bill three months ago is still wrong today. It abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure in America."
Higgins said that the bill would reveal "thousands of innocent people – witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members, etc."
"If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt," he said. "Not by my vote. The Oversight Committee is conducting a thorough investigation that has already released well over 60,000 pages of documents from the Epstein case. That effort will continue in a manner that provides all due protections for innocent Americans."
Multiple Epstein abuse survivors have spoken in favor of the bill as it stands. However, Higgins said that he could only support it if the Senate amends it to exclude names of people not criminally implicated. That could potentially include high profile people connected to Epstein but not implicated in his sex offenses.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:51 PM EST
Survivors applaud House after Epstein files vote
The passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act sparked an emotional moment in the House chamber on Tuesday.
As soon as the resolution cleared, Democratic lawmakers turned toward the gallery to applaud survivors of Jeffrey Epstein who were present. The survivors stood, cheered back at lawmakers, and shouted, “Thank you.” Several wiped away tears as the chamber acknowledged their presence.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:51 PM EST
So the Epstein bill was passed. What now?
...
Once the House approves legislation, the measure is sent to the Senate for consideration. There, it undergoes a similar process of committee review, floor debate, and voting.
If the Senate passes the bill with identical text, it moves directly to the president’s desk for signature or veto. If the Senate makes changes, the House must agree to those revisions or a conference committee of both chambers will reconcile differences and produce a unified version.
The reconciled bill is then returned to both chambers for a final vote. If approved, it is sent to the president, who can sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature after 10 days.
Congress retains the power to override a presidential veto with a two‑thirds majority in both the House and Senate, ensuring the legislative branch has the final say if a broad consensus exists.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:50 PM EST
Who is Clay Higgins? Republican lawmaker who was sole ‘no’ vote on releasing Epstein files
Rep. Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana’s 3rd District, is a former law-enforcement officer known for his tough-on-crime persona and hard-right politics. Before entering Congress in 2017, he served in the Louisiana National Guard’s Military Police Corps and worked as a deputy sheriff and city marshal, gaining national attention for his dramatic “Crime Stoppers” videos. In Washington, he has aligned closely with the House Freedom Caucus and has emphasized limited government, strong borders, and an assertive national-security posture.
Higgins serves on the House Oversight and Armed Services committees and has chaired the Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement. In July 2025, that subcommittee voted to subpoena the Justice Department for records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking investigation—an effort supported by nearly every member present. Higgins was one of only two lawmakers to vote “no,” arguing that the proposed subpoena was overly broad and risked compromising ongoing or future investigations.
Despite his earlier opposition, Higgins later announced his support for a full-scale congressional inquiry into the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell case, positioning himself as a lead investigator in the broader Oversight Committee probe.
However, once again he voted to block the release of the files on Tuesday, when he became the sole "no" vote on the House bill to force the DOJ to release the documents.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:45 PM EST
BREAKING: House passes Epstein files bill with one dissenting vote
The House on Tuesday approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act, compelling the Justice Department to release sealed records tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaker Mike Johnson had predicted unanimous support, but Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana cast the lone “no” vote. Despite that dissent, the measure easily cleared the chamber under suspension of the rules, requiring a two‑thirds majority.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. Lawmakers across both parties have faced mounting pressure from survivors and advocates to disclose the files.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:43 PM EST
How many votes are needed to release the Epstein files?
The House is voting on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a measure requiring a two‑thirds majority to pass under suspension of the rules. If all 435 members are present, at least 290 votes are needed.
The bill, forced to the floor by a discharge petition signed by 218 lawmakers, is expected to clear the chamber with broad bipartisan support.
Currently, the vote stands at:
- Democrat: 216 (yea), 0 (nay)
- Republican: 211 (yea), 1 (nay)
- Total: 427
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:39 PM EST
House nears final vote on Epstein files bill
Lawmakers crowded into the chamber Tuesday as the House prepared to close its vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
So far, every member who has cast a ballot—Democrat and Republican alike—has supported releasing the sealed records. Roughly 35 members had yet to vote in the final minutes, but the measure appeared on track for overwhelming approval.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:32 PM EST
Massie slams Speaker Johnson over Epstein files bill
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky sharply criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson on social media Tuesday, accusing him of trying to shield influential figures linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Massie warned against Senate amendments that could limit the disclosure of names tied to Epstein’s network. He argued such changes would protect “perverts who went to the rape island” from accountability.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:25 PM EST
What is a recorded vote?
A recorded vote, also known as a roll call vote, is one of the most transparent methods of decision‑making in Congress. Unlike a voice vote, where lawmakers call out “yea” or “nay” and the presiding officer judges the outcome, or a division vote, where members raise their hands, a recorded vote documents each individual’s choice and creates a permanent public record.
In the House of Representatives, members cast their votes electronically, with the system logging each response. In the Senate, a clerk calls the roll, and senators answer aloud before the tally is compiled. Once complete, the results are published, allowing the public to see exactly how their representatives voted.
Recorded votes are typically reserved for significant measures. They serve as tools for transparency and accountability, ensuring that constituents can track their lawmakers’ positions. They also provide legal and historical value, with official records preserved for future reference in resources such as the Congressional Record.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:20 PM EST
House moves forward on Epstein files Transparency Act
After months of Republican efforts to delay action, the House is now voting on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The House on Tuesday approved H.R. 4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, by suspending the rules and declaring the measure passed with a two‑thirds majority.
The presiding chair announced the bill’s adoption without objection after lawmakers responded overwhelmingly in favor.
Moments later, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland requested a recorded vote, ensuring members’ positions will be formally tallied.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:17 PM EST
Khanna criticizes Trump meeting with Saudi Prince amid Epstein debate
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who co‑sponsored the discharge petition forcing a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, rebuked President Donald Trump on Tuesday for meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman instead of survivors of Epstein’s abuse.
Speaking on the House floor, Khanna said Trump’s decision was not consistent with his “America First” slogan. “How about meeting with the survivors?” Khanna said, adding that the priority should be “making sure America’s girls are not getting raped.”
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:12 PM EST
House debate follows release of Epstein emails
As the House considers legislation to force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, last week’s document disclosures remain at the center of the fight.
On November 12, Democrats on the Republican‑led Oversight Committee released three emails from the Epstein estate, including a 2011 message to Ghislaine Maxwell in which Epstein alleged Donald Trump “spent hours” with one of the victims and referred to him as “the dog that hasn’t barked.” Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
Republicans accused Democrats of cherry‑picking and countered with a broader release of more than 23,000 pages. Among those, Epstein wrote in 2018 that he “knew how dirty Donald is” and claimed he could “take him down.”
None of the emails were sent to or from Trump directly. The White House dismissed the disclosures, saying they “prove literally nothing.”
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:11 PM EST
Speaker Johnson predicts unanimous vote on Epstein files bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has spent the day arguing that legislation to compel the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files is flawed, said on the floor Tuesday that he nonetheless expects the measure to pass unanimously.
Johnson has criticized the bill’s structure and raised concerns about its potential consequences, but acknowledged the momentum behind it.
Nov 18, 2025 at 02:08 PM EST
Tlaib presses GOP ahead of Epstein files vote
Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib sharply criticized Republicans on Tuesday, saying they must decide whether to “protect pedophiles or seek justice for survivors of sex trafficking or abuse.”
Speaking on the House floor before the expected vote on legislation to release the Epstein files, Tlaib said she had met survivors who were as young as 13 and 14 when they encountered Jeffrey Epstein. She told those survivors urged her to “follow the money” to uncover Epstein’s network of associates.
Tlaib pointed to Treasury Department reports detailing thousands of transactions totaling more than $1.5 billion linked to Epstein’s finances. She said that Epstein maintained 134 accounts with JP Morgan and accused the bank of prioritizing profit over accountability.
Nov 18, 2025 at 01:59 PM EST
House debate on Epstein files bill highlights sharp divisions
Lawmakers clashed on the House floor Tuesday as debate over the Epstein File Transparency Act underscored both bipartisan urgency and partisan recriminations.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández said the measure was about justice for “thousands of girls and young women” abused by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, declaring that survivors had “pierced the dark with their light.”
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa acknowledged the bill would likely pass, perhaps unanimously, but warned it must be amended in the Senate to protect innocent people and grand jury traditions. He noted President Trump has pledged to sign the legislation once it reaches his desk.
Democrats, including Rep. Jamie Raskin, argued the bill is already focused on safeguarding victims and pressed the Senate to act quickly. Several members accused Trump of refusing to release the files despite having the authority to do so, calling the White House’s stance a cover‑up.
Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew countered that Democrats had ignored the issue during the Biden administration and accused them of hypocrisy, while Democrats insisted the vote was about human rights, not politics.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva honored survivors and advocates, saying their persistence made the vote possible. “Protecting women and children from pedophiles should not be a partisan issue,” she said. “It is a matter of justice.”
Nov 18, 2025 at 01:48 PM EST
Jordan, Comer push back as Democrats press Trump on Epstein files
Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio said Tuesday that the latest vote tied to the Jeffrey Epstein records reflects Democrats’ “obsession” with damaging President Donald Trump.
Jordan, who did not join the effort to force the vote, urged colleagues to support the resolution so the chamber could move on to issues he argued matter more to Americans. “A little perspective is important,” he said.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer of Kentucky highlighted the committee’s work, noting it has produced 65,000 pages of documents, issued 13 subpoenas, and interviewed former Attorney General William Barr and former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta. Comer accused Democrats of mischaracterizing testimony and selectively releasing records to hurt Trump.
Democrats countered that Trump could end the debate himself. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the panel’s top Democrat, said the president has the authority to order the Justice Department to release the files immediately. “He does not even need a vote,” Garcia said. “What is Donald Trump hiding?”
Nov 18, 2025 at 01:41 PM EST
House to vote on resolution targeting Plaskett
The House is set to hold a procedural vote Tuesday on a resolution aimed at censuring Delegate Stacey Plaskett and removing her from the Intelligence Committee.
The measure accuses Plaskett of conduct “reflecting discreditably” on the chamber, alleging she colluded with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing.
Nov 18, 2025 at 01:34 PM EST
Schumer vows swift Senate action on Epstein files bill
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged Tuesday to move “immediately” to bring up legislation requiring the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files once the House approves the measure.
In a statement, Schumer accused Republicans of shielding President Donald Trump and concealing the records. “Americans are tired of waiting and are demanding to see the truth,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not indicated whether the chamber will consider the bill. Schumer warned that if Thune attempts to block it, he will intervene to force action.
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, the New York Democrat reiterated his commitment: “Once the House passes the bill to release the Epstein files, I’m going to move on the floor so that the Senate takes it up immediately. The American people have waited long enough.”
Nov 18, 2025 at 01:28 PM EST
House debate highlights bipartisan push on Epstein files
During debate on unrelated legislation Tuesday, Democrats yielded time to Republicans leading the charge for a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky called the moment “extraordinary,” urging colleagues to support the measure. He framed the vote as a test of transparency over secrecy and bipartisanship over partisanship.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said the fight should never have been necessary, arguing that releasing the records ought to have been “the easiest thing” for congressional leaders and the president.
Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina described the issue as “deeply personal,” telling survivors of assault that the vote was about reclaiming power for the powerless. She emphasized that the measure was not only about Epstein’s victims but about broader accountability.
Nov 18, 2025 at 01:24 PM EST
Rep. Massie urges Trump to release Epstein files
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie told BBC Newsnight that President Donald Trump and top officials could bypass Congress and immediately release the sealed Jeffrey Epstein records.
Massie argued that Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel could “save the Senate a lot of work” by acting once the House measure passes, which he predicted would do so with a veto‑proof majority.
Lawmakers are advancing a bill to compel disclosure of the files, expected to clear the House later today before heading to the Senate. But commentators note legislation is not required—Trump could order the release unilaterally.
The president has shifted his stance in recent days. After dismissing the vote as a Democratic distraction, he is now urging Republicans to support disclosure. Massie suggested Trump reversed course after realizing he was asking his party to take a politically risky position that clashed with his base.
Nov 18, 2025 at 01:19 PM EST
Trump faces tough questions from female reporters
Trump faced a series of pointed questions from female journalists this week, with several pressing him on whether he would release government records tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
During an Oval Office exchange, an ABC News correspondent asked why he would not make the files public, noting that he has the authority to do so unilaterally. Trump bristled at the question, criticizing her “attitude” and calling her a “terrible person.” He went further, suggesting that ABC’s broadcasting license should be revoked.
Nov 18, 2025 at 01:10 PM EST
Republican Rep. Massie says he’s ’embarrassed for my own party’
Rep. Thomas Massie, one of two cosponsors of the petition to force today's vote on releasing the Epstein files, and one of just four Republicans to sign it, said that's he's been "embarrassed" by his own party.
"I'm embarrassed for my own party today," he said during the debates on the bill, on the floor of the House on Tuesday. "We withheld swearing in a duly representative of the people for 49 days just to avoid this vote. That's finally going to happen today.
"I'm embarrassed that my own party isn't going to yield me time to debate this, even though they say they support it and I authored it. They don't even want to yield me time to debate this during the bill debate. But I'm thankful. Let me tell you who I'm thankful to these three brave women Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Mace, and Lauren Boebert. They have been threatened. They have been intimidated physically, politically. It's disgusting and not by the far left. They have been intimidated by people in our own party. And for what? For seeking justice for these victims. So my hat's off. I congratulate them for standing strong.
"I've always wondered where were the Republican men during this battle? We've taken five months. These three women and I have had to drag our party to this floor today to even vote on this. And Ro (Khanna) is the most to be thanked here in a extraordinary display of bipartisanship, he did not hesitate when I asked if we wanted to bring this bill to the floor together, if he would stand in the trenches with me, he said yes."
Nov 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM EST
Marjorie Taylor Greene says it should never have been a ‘fight’ to get Epstein files released
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of just four Republicans to sign the discharge petition to push for today's vote, slammed the Trump administration for resisting the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
"This was the biggest fight I think I've seen in Washington, D.C. this is my fifth year here, and this was a fight that we should have never had to wage," she said on the floor of the House, ahead of the vote.
"It should have been the easiest thing for every single member of Congress. It should have been the easiest thing for the Speaker of the House. It should have been the easiest thing for the President of the United States to release all the information, every single file, on behalf of these American women.
"And today, with this vote, we are finally putting these victims and these survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and the cabal of rich, powerful elites that expands not just here in the United States of America, but to other countries as well. We're putting them last. And that is exactly what Americans want."
Nov 18, 2025 at 12:40 PM EST
WATCH: Marjorie Taylor Greene slams Trump for calling her a ‘traitor’
Nov 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM EST
Democrat senators calls on GOP members to schedule vote on Epstein files
Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly is pressing the Senate to schedule a vote on the bill, currently making its way through the House, that would force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files.
“We got a little bit more work ahead of us. But my hope is that Leader John Thune will do the right thing and bring this legislation to the floor of the Senate, and allow a vote,” Kelly said at a news conference on Capitol Hill.
Kelly said that President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson "have tried very hard to keep the whole truth from coming out."
“We’re going to need your help on the other side of the Capitol, making sure that Senate leadership doesn’t delay this any further,” he said to advocates. “They need to schedule a vote on this so this can pass this into law.”
Nov 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM EST
Massie calls on Trump to release all the Epstein files without waiting for Senate
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican and cosponsor of the Epstein resolution, said he wanted President Donald Trump to order the Justice Department to make the Epstein files public immediately, rather than wait for the bill to pass through Congress.
“He can release these files without the Senate acting,” Massie said, adding that it would be “disrespectful to the survivors” if Senate delayed the passing of the bill.
Speaker Mike Johnson has already said that he believes the Senate will ask for amendments to the bill, which would send it back to the House for approval, delaying its progress.
Nov 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM EST
WATCH: Johnson ‘very confident’ Senate will amend Epstein bill
Speaker Mike Johnson said he's spoken with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and he's "very confident" that the bill on releasing the DOJ's Jeffrey Epstein files would be amended in the Senate.
“I called my counterpart in the Senate, Leader Thune, and I talked him through this with him and shared our deep concerns and of course they share those concerns as well. And so I’m very confident that when this moves forward in the process, if and when it is processed in the Senate – which it’s no certainty that that will be – that they will take the time methodically to do what we’ve not been allowed to do in the House, to amend this discharge petition and to make sure that these protections are there,” Johnson told reporters.
Nov 18, 2025 at 11:25 AM EST
Speaker Johnson brands today’s Epstein files petition a ‘political show vote’
Speaker Mike Johnson held a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, with fellow House Republican leaders, ahead of the vote to release the Epstein files.
Johnson slammed Democrats as he claimed they were delaying the work of the government by holding today's "political show vote."
"They're forcing a political show vote on the Epstein file," he said at the press conference, held shortly after Epstein victims held their own news conference with bipartisan House members.
"The biggest proponents of this discharge petition were never actually interested in transparency or ensuring justice or protecting the victims of this unspeakable tragedy - the Epstein evils. And how do we know that? Because the Democrats had every one of the Epstein files in their possession for the four long years of the Biden administration. The Biden Department of Justice had the files the entire time, and not a single one of the people who were so loud and animated right now, they never said anything about it," he continued. "So it's fair for the American people to ask the question, why now?
"Clearly, this is a political exercise for Democrats and a few others. Sadly. And it is as deceitful and dishonest as their pointless stunt to shut down the government," Johnson said. "Democrats are trying to use the Epstein matter as a political weapon to distract from their own party's failures, and in a desperate attempt, they're trying to somehow tie President Trump to to the scandal. President Trump has nothing to do with it. He has said himself, he has nothing to hide."
Nov 18, 2025 at 11:15 AM EST
Massie dismisses Johnson’s suggestions bill doesn’t protect victims as ‘red herring’
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie called Speaker Mike Johnson's suggestions that his bill doesn't protect Jeffrey Epstein’s victims a "red herring."
Johnson said yesterday that he plans to vote to release the files, on the condition the Senate makes changes to the bill so “we have the protection of victims and whistleblowers.”
“That’s been a red herring all along. The survivors have always been in favor of this legislation. And there’s a provision in there you could read, if he would just read it, that protects them,” he said at a press conference on Capitol Hill with Epstein survivors.
Massie also warned that Johnson's suggestion could be "another delay tactic" as any changes made to the bill by the Senate would mean it has to be sent back to the House again for approval.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
Nov 18, 2025 at 11:07 AM EST
Epstein survivor who voted for Trump blasts president—’embarrassment’
Jena-Lisa Jones, a woman recruited and abused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during her teen years, implored President Donald Trump to support the release of the Epstein files.
Jones, along with other survivors, spoke during a press conference held ahead of the scheduled vote by the House of Representatives.
“I beg you, President Trump, please stop making this political," Jones said, adding, "You are our president. Please start acting like it. Show some class. Show some real leadership. Show that you actually care about the people other than yourself."
"I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment," she continued.
Read in full: Epstein Survivor Who Voted for Trump Blasts President—’Embarrassment’
Nov 18, 2025 at 10:57 AM EST
Johnson tells closed-door GOP meeting he’ll vote for releasing Epstein files
House Speaker Mike Johnson told a closed-door GOP meeting on Tuesday that he plans to vote "yes" on releasing all of the Jeffrey Epstein files today, according to Republican Rep. Ralph Norman.
Johnson’s support comes after months of Republican leaders attempting to delay or block the vote from coming to the floor. The speaker had called the petition for a vote a “moot point,” given the House Oversight Committee has its own extensive investigation into Epstein.
His newfound support shows the overwhelming Republican backing the bill has in the House, with the legislation expected to sail through when it comes to the vote later today.
Nov 18, 2025 at 10:47 AM EST
Virginia Giuffre’s brother urges lawmakers to vote ‘yes’ on releasing Epstein files in emotional plea
Sky Roberts, brother of the late Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre, pleaded with lawmakers to pass the vote to release all the DOJ files on the convicted sex offender.
“Today 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 and continue her relentless fight alongside her fellow survivor sisters,” Roberts said. Giuffre, a prominent Epstein survivor, died by suicide earlier this year.
Speaking through tears, Roberts said survivors and their families demand "justice, accountability, and support for survivors."
"My sister is not a political tool for you to use. These survivors are not political tools for you to use. These are real stories, real trauma. And it’s time for you to stop just talking about it and act. Vote yes,” Roberts added.
Nov 18, 2025 at 10:43 AM EST
House debates held on Epstein files, votes to begin after noon
The House will begin to vote on the resolution to force the Justice Department to release all of its Jeffrey Epstein case files at noon ET.
Debates began on the floor at 10 a.m. and representatives will recess until 12 p.m. ET where voting begins.
The voting session will also include a measure from Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington sanctioning her colleague Rep. Chuy García of Illinois for the timing of his decision to retire.
Nov 18, 2025 at 10:37 AM EST
Epstein survivor warns politicians preparing to vote: ‘That choice will follow you’
An Epstein survivor, who only gave her name as Wendy, shared a warning for representatives and senators who are facing a vote on release the DOJ files on the Epstein files.
"As survivors, our story never leaves us, but the choice that you make to pass this bill - your career is in front of you," Wendy said, referring to the politicians.
"And that choice will follow you. Everybody will know," she added.
Wendy also thanked the representatives who had stood by survivors and pushed for the vote on releasing the Epstein files.
"Thank you for standing beside survivors so we don't have to face this fear alone. Thank you for choosing what is right over what is easy and every survivor who is scared right now. Your fear is real. Your courage is real," she said.
Nov 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM EST
Trump voter and Epstein survivor begs president to ‘stop making this political’
Epstein survivor Jena-Lisa Jones denounced President Donald Trump for calling the Justice Department's documents on Jeffrey Epstein a "hoax."
"This is not a hoax," Jones said at the press conference at Capitol Hill on Tuesday.
"I beg you President Trump, please stop making this political. Show some real leadership, show that you actually care about other people than yourself," added Jones who said she had voted for Trump but had been deeply disappointed by his handling of the files."
Nov 18, 2025 at 10:13 AM EST
Epstein survivor says America is united on releasing the files
Jeffrey Epstein sexual abuse survivor, Lisa Phillips, says "America is finally united on the immediate release of the entire Epstein files."
"This is one demand we all share," she said at the joint press conference at Capitol Hill Tuesday. "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. For anyone who doubted that that moment has already arrived."
Phillips added that since the survivors' last press conference, in September, more alleged victims from across the world had reached out to share their stories.
"Most are still terrified to speak publicly because the men involved are powerful. They're connected, and as we know, they're protected. For too long, survivors have watched others speak for us. And while we are grateful for our allies in Congress on both sides, we've realized something. This fight belongs to us. We lived it, and we know the truth. And we will not wait quietly for institutions to decide when we're allowed to speak."
She added that the survivors were launching "something historic."
"The first national survivor led political movement in America. Nonpartisan, laser-focused on exposing the systems, the loopholes, power structures and silencing mechanisms that have protected predators for far too long. We are stepping directly into the halls of power. Into the political arena. We will help rewrite laws that failed us and build protections for our nation's children together. Targeted by sexual exploitation. Together today, survivors begin our own fight. The survivor revolution. And we intend to change this nation for the better. If you're a survivor who wants to join us, please reach out. And to anyone who benefits from the current system, intentionally or not, remember this alone. Yes, we are afraid, but together we are feared."
Nov 18, 2025 at 10:08 AM EST
Epstein survivor urges everyone to put aside political affiliations, ‘it’s a human issue’
Hayley Robson, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sexual abuse, thanked Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna for standing up to President Donald Trump and the Republican party over the release of the files, adding, 'there's no place for intimidation."
"I can say firsthand, stepping out against Epstein and his crimes against children - we have all experienced that ourselves. So for you to knowingly put yourselves at risk and put your career at risk is unbelievable to watch, and we are so grateful," she added.
"It's time that we we put the political agendas and party affiliates, affiliations to the side. This is a human issue. This is about children. There is no place in society for exploitation, sexual crimes or exploitation of women in society. There's no room for it, guys. We're not having it."
Nov 18, 2025 at 09:56 AM EST
MTG slams Trump for branding her a ‘traitor’
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed President Donald Trump for branding her a "traitor" over her support for the vote to release the DOJ files on Jeffrey Epstein.
"I was called a traitor by a man that I fought for five - no, actually six years for," she said at the joint press conference with survivors on Tuesday.
"I fought for him for the policies and for America First. And he called me a traitor for standing with these women and refusing to take my name off the discharge petition."
"I want to tell you that this only became possible today because the American people whom we serve as representatives here in Congress demanded that this vote happen," she continued. "And they put more pressure on every single elected politician in this city than has ever been put on them."
Nov 18, 2025 at 09:44 AM EST
MTG predicts unanimous vote for releasing Epstein files in the House
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene predicted that the House of Representatives would vote unanimously to release the DOJ files on Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday.
"Today you are going to see probably a unanimous vote in the House to release the obscene files," said Greene at the press conference with Epstein survivors.
"But the fight, the real fight will happen after that," Greene warned, adding that she wanted to see the Justice Department release all the files and not have them "tied up in investigations."
Nov 18, 2025 at 09:30 AM EST
Massie issues stark waring to Senate on Epstein files vote: ‘We’re all paying attention’
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, warned his colleagues in the Senate not to "muck" up the vote on releasing the Epstein files once it's passed in the House.
"Don't get too cute. We're all paying attention," he said at the joint press conference with survivors on Capitol Hill Tuesday.
"If you want to add some additional protections for these survivors, go for it. But if you do anything that prevents any disclosure, you are not for the people and you are not part of this effort."
Massie added that he was hopeful the bill would pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Donald Trump, after already beating "long odds."
"We had long odds, but we had some brave women on the Republican side. My colleague, Marjorie Taylor Greene is one of them.... You cannot even imagine the consequences that they have suffered. My colleague Lauren Boebert and my colleague Nancy Mace.
"They stood so strong. They put their names on a document in here, and then they were pressured in ways that you cannot even imagine. And they stood strong. And that's why we're here today.
"They didn't take us seriously, over at the executive branch or in the Senate, because they always thought they could flip one of these women. They could convince them or control them or intimidate them into taking their names off of this petition, but they did not succeed. This is a victory for those women and women all over the country today. And I'm just glad to be a part of it."
Nov 18, 2025 at 09:25 AM EST
Rep. Massie says they ‘fought the president’ and much of his administration to finally get today’s vote
Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, reflected on the battle it had taken him, and fellow bill sponsor Rep. Ro Khanna, to finally bring the vote on releasing the Epstein files to the floor today.
Speaking at the joint press conference with several Epstein survivors, Massie said, "We fought the president, the attorney general, the FBI director, the Speaker of the House, and the vice president to get this win.
"But they say they're on our side today, though, so let's give them some credit as well. They they are finally on the side of justice."
Nov 18, 2025 at 09:18 AM EST
Ro Khanna praises ‘courage’ of Marjorie Taylor Greene for resisting Trump pressure
Rep. Ro Khanna praised the "courage" of Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, for resisting pressure from President Donald Trump and his administration to withdraw her support for the petition to force a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files.
"This would not have certainly been possible if it were not for the courage of Marjorie Taylor Greene," Khanna said as he joined survivors in a joint press conference on Capitol Hill.
He said that he had been texting with fellow petition backer, Rep. Thomas Massie, concerned, "Is she going to drop off?"
"Because there was so much pressure against it, so much attacks against her. But she, stood with the survivors," he added
Nov 18, 2025 at 09:10 AM EST
Marjorie Taylor Greene shares pointed message on Epstein files before House vote
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia shared a pointed message about the vote on the Jeffrey Epstein files - and the opposition it has faced - on Monday evening.
"Tomorrow Congress will finally vote to release the Epstein files. This should have never been a fight. Raping teenage girls, trafficking victims, and protecting powerful people is not a hoax. I unapologetically and proudly stand with these women," she wrote on
Greene has long supported releasing the files, but she has clashed with members of her party over the issue, including Trump, whose administration has spent months fighting the publication of the files. But the president appeared to reverse his stance on Monday, urging House Republicans to vote to release the files.
"House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat ‘Shutdown,’" Trump said in a Truth Social post late Sunday.
Nov 18, 2025 at 08:52 AM EST
Trump’s dramatic U-turn on releasing the Epstein files
President Donald Trump had repeatedly urged his supporters to dismiss the Jeffrey Epstein files, calling the House bid to vote on releasing them a Democrat "hoax" and attacking his own party members who supported it as "stupid" and "weak."
He also publicly dropped his support for Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor over her support for a petition to force a House vote on releasing the files. However, after the Democrats gained the 218th and final signature needed on the bipartisan petition, Trump was faced with a potential Republican rebellion.
On Sunday, he told House Republicans to vote to release the Epstein files, saying they have "nothing to hide."
Writing on Truth Social, he said: "It’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat 'Shutdown.'"
Trump also said he would sign the bill to release all the Epstein files if it came across his desk.
"We’ll give them everything. Sure. I would let them, let the Senate look at it, let anybody look at it, but don’t talk about it too much, because honestly, I don’t want to take it away from us. It’s really a Democrat problem. The Democrats were Epstein’s friends, all of them, and it’s a hoax," he added on Monday.
Nov 18, 2025 at 08:40 AM EST
What happens next if the House passes bill to release Epstein files?
If the House of Representatives votes in favor of the motion to force the Justice Department to release its entire cache of files related to its investigation of the pedophile financier, then the bill will progress to the Senate.
Once it passes the Senate, it will land on the desk of President Donald Trump who has recently vowed to sign it into law.
The DOJ would then 30 days to release the majority of the files. However, the law allows for temporary withholding of information tied to ongoing investigations and for redactions to protect privacy.
These redactions are likely to spark further debate as lawmakers and campaigners challenge ones they find too excessive.
Nov 18, 2025 at 08:30 AM EST
House votes on release of Epstein files: Everything we know
The House of Representatives is expected to vote today on compelling the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all files related to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – here’s everything we know.
On Tuesday, November 18, procedural votes and debates on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, whose lead authors are Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., are set to begin at 10 a.m. EST in the House of Representatives.
The bill, which will require a majority of two-thirds to succeed, would direct the DOJ to make “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” related to the Epstein case public, in a searchable and downloadable format, within 30 days of enactment.
It could, in theory, include documents about Epstein’s co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, flight logs and names of individuals referenced in the case.
Read in full: House Votes on Release of Epstein Files: Everything We Know
Nov 18, 2025 at 08:22 AM EST
WATCH: Moment Trump says he’ll sign bill to release Epstein files, ‘All for it’
Nov 18, 2025 at 08:15 AM EST
Epstein survivors to hold news conference to push for files release ahead of House vote
A group of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are holding a Tuesday press conference to push for the release of the Justice Department documents on the convicted sex offender, ahead of the House of Representatives vote today.
Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, the backers of the petition to force a vote on releasing the files, will host the group at Capitol Hill from 9 a.m. ET Tuesday, alongside Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Nov 18, 2025 at 07:55 AM EST
What Did Epstein’s Emails Say About Donald Trump
President Trump was mentioned several times in a cache of emails released last week.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee initially published three email exchanges mentioning Trump.
A few hours later, House Republicans released a tranche of more than 20,000 pages, accusing Democrats of trying to "cherry-pick" documents to "create a fake narrative to slander President Trump."
- In one 2011 message, Epstein writes Maxwell: "I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump.. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him." Epstein later wrote Trump "has never once been mentioned," before Maxwell replied: "I have been thinking about that…"
- In an email sent March 2018, Jeffrey Epstein's brother, Mark, told the disgraced financier to ask Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist, if Russian President Vladimir Putin had "the photos of Trump blowing Bubba." "You and your boy Donnie can make a remake of the movie Get Hard," Mark Epstein wrote. "Bubba" is an old nickname for former President Bill Clinton, but Mark Epstein told Newsweek the individual was not Clinton, and said the emails were meant as "a humorous private exchange."
- In February 2019, about five months before he would be arrested on sex trafficking charges, Jeffrey Epstein emailed his own address Epstein implied Trump had met his victims but had never received a massage from them. "Trump knew of it. and came to my house many times during that period," Epstein wrote, adding "He never got a massage."
The White House has said the emails do not show any wrongdoing by President Trump.
Nov 18, 2025 at 07:17 AM EST
Republican Troy Nehls Switches Vote After Trump Reversal
Could we have a unanimous vote?
Representative Troy Nehls, from Texas, who was considered by some to be the sole Republican holdout, looks to have flip flopped.
Nehls had declared on social media only days ago that he would vote against releasing the Epstein files, calling it a "hoax."
But on Monday night, Nehls reportedly told The New York Times he would now back the bill — that change comes less than 24 hours after President Trump had reversed his position to back the bill compelling the files' release.
We'll bring you a full break down of the vote later.
Nov 18, 2025 at 06:58 AM EST
Cloudflare Outage Hits Sites as X Issues Reported
Cloudflare, which provides internet security to many major websites, is invesigating an issue this morning.
Social media site X appears to have been affected, with more than 10,000 users reporting issues on tracker site DownDetector shortly before 7 a.m. ET. The Epstein files are scheduled to be discussed on the House floor from about 10 a.m. this morning.
"Our support portal provider is currently experiencing issues, and as such customers might encounter errors viewing or responding to support cases," Cloudflare said.
"We are working alongside our 3rd party provider to understand the full impact and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly."
Follow the latest updates on the outage here.
Nov 18, 2025 at 06:35 AM EST
How the DOJ Announced Epstein Indictment
The Justice Department suggested Jeffrey Epstein relied on a network of close contacts to sexually abuse young girls.
Announcing his arrest in July 2019, the department said the disgraced financier knew many of his victims were under 18, and "worked with others, including employees and associates who facilitated his conduct by, among other things, contacting victims and scheduling their sexual encounters with EPSTEIN at the New York Residence and at the Palm Beach Residence."
Epstein never faced the charges of sex trafficking of minors. He was found dead in a federal prison cell just weeks after his arrest.
His longterm girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwel was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors.
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Nov 18, 2025 at 06:17 AM EST
Marjorie Taylor Greene Speaks Out Ahead of the Epstein Files Vote
We know how Marjorie Taylor Greene will vote later.
The representatives was one of four Republicans to sign the discharge petition that brought the bill to the House floor today, and she has pinpointed her campaigning on the issue as the reason behind her public spat with President Trump.
"This should have never been a fight," she said on X late on Monday, sharing a video of Epstein survivors. "Raping teenage girls, trafficking victims, and protecting powerful people is not a hoax. I unapologetically and proudly stand with these women."
President Trump has withdrawn his endorsement of Greene, a longterm ally, after several clashes on issues such as health care, the government shutdown and the Epstein files.
Asked if she thinks Trump wants to hide something in the Epstein files, she told CNN on Sunday: "I think that's the part that has so many people confused is that the women themselves that I've talked to over and over again said that Donald Trump did nothing wrong; quite a few told me that they had voted for him," Green said, adding "Those are the women I would like to see in the Oval Office with support, I would like to see all of the women there with support."
Trump reversed his position later that day, saying he would support a vote to release the files.
Expect to hear from more from Greene later during today's likely lengthy proceedings.
Nov 18, 2025 at 05:54 AM EST
Epstein Accuser Alicia Arden Urges Congress To Release Epstein Files
One of Epstein's accusers has called on House representatives to pass today's measure compelling the files' release.
Alicia Arden was a 27-year-old model when Epstein assaulted her in 1997 at a hotel in Santa Monica, she told NBC News in July.
"Speaking as a victim, I beg you to release these files, once and for all," Arden told reporters on Monday. "There is no valid reason not to do so. This should be a really easy bi-partisan issue. Why would there be a single "No" vote?"
"Vote to release these files so we can finally see who else helped Jeffrey Epstein."
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Nov 18, 2025 at 05:39 AM EST
‘Ashamed’ Larry Summers Reacts to Esptein Emails
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Harvard president Lawrence H. Summers has said he will step back from public life after his email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein were released last week.
“I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused,” Summers said in a statement on Monday. “I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein.”
Documents showed Summers and Epstein continued to exchange messages until July 5, 2019, one day before Epstein was arrested on new sex-trafficking charges.
The emails released by the House Oversight Committee indicated Summers and Epstein met for dinner frequently. In July 2018, Epstein proposed a meeting with the "president [sic] of united nations, interesting person for you." Another email shortly after Trump's first election in 2016 showed Summers told Epstein, "spend zero effort on anything about me with Trump."
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Nov 18, 2025 at 12:51 AM EST
Top House Oversight Committee Democrat says Trump has the power to release the files today
Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said that President Donald Trump knows he did not have to wait for Congress, but had the power to release the Jeffrey Epstein files today.
“I want to remind the president as well, that he has the power to release the files today. He has the power to release the files without a vote. In fact, a few months ago, the Oversight Committee put in place a subpoena for all of the files through the Department of Justice, and still they have released nothing,” Garcia told reporters on Capitol Hill. “So, at the end of day Donald Trump can, today, bring justice to the survivors and he refuses to do so,” he added.
Garcia also attacked Trump's "flip flops" on the Epstein files.
“After saying that he would release the files during the campaign, after his attorney general said the files were on her desk, he then flip flops, has been doing everything in his power to stop the release of the files and stop justice for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific sexual trafficking ring,” Garcia said.
He added that Trump only changed his mind again after “seeing a loss in the House.”
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