House Votes To Release Epstein Files: Here's What Happens Next

The House of Representatives has voted to release federal records related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sending the measure to the Senate, per Newsweek.

On Tuesday (November 18), the House voted 427-1 to compel the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files, with only Republican Rep. Clay Higgins dissenting. Rep. Adelita Grijlava's swearing-in provided the 218th signature on Rep. Thomas Massie's discharge petition to force the vote that Speaker Mike Johnson long opposed.

Trump, earlier this week, abandoned his efforts to block the measure as GOP support for the disclosure increased. When asked if he would sign the bill, the president said, “They can do whatever they want. I’ll give them everything."

However, Trump hasn't addressed why he hasn't simply ordered the DOJ to release the Epstein files, a move legal experts say he has the power to do.

“All you have to do is tell Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the files,” former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner said, noting that Trump only reversed his stance once it became clear the bill would pass with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Ty Cobb, a former Trump White House lawyer, called the reversal an attempt to “turn what was going to be a massive repudiation of his extreme efforts to hide the files into a victory.”

Johnson has warned there is “no certainty” the Senate will move quickly on the measure, suggesting that any action in the chamber would likely include amendments to strengthen privacy protections for victims and whistleblowers. Lawmakers across the aisle are urging the Senate not to weaken the House bill. Massie warned that senators who “prevent any disclosure” would be “not for the people.” Rep. Ro Khanna said efforts to amend the bill amounted to “betraying the survivors.”

Even if the bill passes the Senate and is signed by Trump, the DOJ could still assert privileges, like law enforcement or deliberative-process privilege, to delay or limit disclosures.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune must now determine whether or how quickly the Senate will take up the Epstein files legislation, setting the stage for what could become a lengthy legal and political battle.

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