The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill that would require the Justice Department to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein, a financier who died in jail while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking. This vote comes after months of pressure from both sides of the aisle, despite initial resistance from House Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump.

The proposed legislation, known as "The Epstein Files Transparency Act," aims to make public all unclassified records related to Epstein, including documents and communications from the Justice Department. The bill gained momentum after a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a petition in July to bypass Johnson's control over which bills are brought to the floor.

Trump, who had previously downplayed the significance of the Epstein files, changed his stance over the weekend, urging House Republicans to support the bill. He stated, "Let the Senate look at it," and indicated he would sign the bill if it passes both chambers of Congress. This shift in Trump's position is expected to help the bill pass with significant support in the House.

The push for transparency comes amid ongoing investigations into Epstein's connections with various political and financial figures. Epstein was known to associate with both Democrats and Republicans, raising questions about the extent of his influence. The House Oversight Committee has already released thousands of pages of documents revealing Epstein's ties to prominent individuals, including Trump himself.

Johnson has faced criticism for delaying the vote, having kept the House closed for nearly two months during a government shutdown. The situation changed when Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva was sworn in last week, providing the crucial 218th vote needed to support the discharge petition for the bill.

As the vote approaches, several survivors of Epstein's abuse are expected to advocate for the release of the files on Capitol Hill. They have been vocal in their demands for transparency, meeting with lawmakers and rallying outside the Capitol in recent months.

While the House is poised to pass the bill, the Senate's response remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed caution, stating he trusts the Justice Department to handle the release of information. However, the proposed legislation would require the department to release all relevant files within 30 days, with certain protections for victims' identities.

If the bill passes in the Senate, it will be sent to Trump's desk for approval. Despite the anticipated passage, experts suggest that not all materials may be released due to ongoing investigations or claims of executive privilege. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial, and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in his crimes.