Congress Passes Epstein Files Bill With New Transparency Rules

Senate Clears Epstein Files Bill as Release Awaits Trump’s Signoff now

Why is Washington suddenly united on the Epstein Files? That question is now echoing across the U.S. as both chambers of Congress often divided came together to push a major transparency bill forward. 

Source: X (formerly Twitter) 

The legislation orders the Justice Department to publicly release unclassified Epstein Files linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. It comes after years of public pressure, growing suspicion, and demands for answers about who was connected to the late financier.

House Passes Bill 427–1 After Trump Shifts Position

In an almost unheard-of moment, the House passed the measure by a massive 427-1 vote. As reported by the BBC, the single “no” vote came from Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins, who broke from his party and called his decision a “principled NO.” Higgins argued the bill “abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure” and risks exposing private information about victims, witnesses, and families who had no role in this crimes.

He warned that releasing such broad investigative files into the hands of “a rabid media” could cause harm to innocent people. Higgins noted he would support it only if the Senate rewrote parts of it, though Senate leaders made it clear amendments were unlikely. Hours later, the Senate passed the bill unanimously, clearing the way for President Donald Trump’s signature.

What the Bill Forces the Government to Release

This orders a full public dump of:

• Epstein and Maxwell investigative records

• Flight logs and travel files

• Lists of linked individuals and entities, including officials

• Internal DOJ communications and document-handling notes

• Records on Epstein’s 2019 detention and death

All documents must be published in a searchable and downloadable database within 30 days of the bill becoming law.

The Redaction Loopholes at the Center of Debate

Attorney General Pam Bondi will have the power to withhold or redact content relating to:

• Victim identities or personal information

• Explicit abuse images

• National security material

• Ongoing federal investigations

Source: X (formerly Twitter) 

Supporters say these rules protect victims. Critics worry they could allow selective transparency, especially as Trump recently pushed for deeper probes into Epstein-linked political figures.

Epstein’s brother has also claimed that the Epstein Files are already being “sanitized” to remove powerful names before release, adding to public tension and speculation.

The Lone Holdout: Clay Higgins' Long Record of Defiant Votes

Higgins, one of Congress’ most conservative members, has a long history of taking stands that break from his party. He was censured in 2024 for online remarks about Haiti, and Facebook previously removed posts he made that were flagged for violent content. His law-enforcement background and past controversies shaped his argument that releasing raw investigative files without proper limits risks harming bystanders.

Heading Toward the Final Decision

With both chambers approving the bill and Trump saying he will sign it, the final step is now only a signature away. For many Americans, the coming release of these Files represents a rare bipartisan moment and a long-awaited chance to learn who may have been connected to one of the most troubling cases of the decade.