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House set to vote on forcing the Justice Department to release the Epstein files

November 17, 2025

The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on legislation that would compel the Justice Department to release approximately 100,000 pages of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier and sex offender. Bipartisan representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, using a discharge petition to bypass Republican leadership opposition and bring the measure to a floor vote. President Trump initially resisted the effort but reversed his position over the weekend, though he has not directly ordered the Justice Department to release the documents without congressional action.

Who is affected

  • Jeffrey Epstein survivors and victims of sexual abuse
  • Maria Farmer and other survivors who reported to the FBI and are pursuing legal action
  • President Donald Trump (due to past association with Epstein)
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel
  • Republican House leadership
  • Representatives Thomas Massie, Ro Khanna, and Robert Garcia
  • Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell
  • Various influential figures who corresponded with Epstein after his 2008 conviction
  • The Justice Department and FBI

What action is being taken

  • The House is preparing to vote this week on the Epstein Files Transparency Act
  • The House Oversight panel is conducting its own investigation of the Epstein matter
  • Representatives released over 20,000 documents and emails obtained from a subpoena of Epstein's estate last Wednesday
  • Epstein survivors are appearing in public service announcements urging release of the files
  • Maria Farmer's lawsuit against the federal government is proceeding through its early stages

Why it matters

  • This issue represents one of the largest government and law enforcement failures in U.S. history, according to attorneys representing survivors. The release of these files is crucial for transparency and accountability, as five administrations have passed without full disclosure of what the government knew about Epstein's crimes. The documents could reveal critical information about Epstein's relationships with financial institutions, co-conspirators, and potentially others involved in his activities, while also addressing questions about why law enforcement failed to protect victims despite receiving reports as early as 1996. The matter has transcended partisan politics and puts pressure on the Justice Department to fulfill its duty to survivors who have carried the burden of bringing this story forward.

What's next

  • The measure will go to the Senate after the House vote, where it needs 60 votes in the Republican-controlled chamber to pass
  • Maria Farmer's lawsuit against the federal government will continue through the legal process, potentially providing another avenue for document release
  • The House Oversight Committee investigation will continue

Read full article from source: The 19th