A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside of the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 18, on a bill that would force the Justice Department to release all of its files on disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

While the bill, if passed, would have to go through the Senate before making its way to President Donald Trump for signature, the House vote is a first step toward a possible conclusion in the saga that has plagued Trump's second term so far.

In recent days, Trump has changed his tune about the records, calling on House Republicans to vote for their release in a stunning reversal of his past comments.

"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 wrote on Truth Social on Nov. 16.

Here's what to know about the timing of the House vote on the Epstein files.

When is the House vote on the Epstein files?

The House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act is expected to begin on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at around 2 p.m. ET, according to an update from Rep. Katherine Clark, the minority whip.

How to watch the House vote on Epstein files bill

Tune into USA TODAY's live stream – at the embed at the top of the page or on USA TODAY's YouTube channel − to watch the House vote in real time.

What happens after the House vote on Epstein files?

The House's expected vote on Nov. 18 will not alone release the Epstein files.

If the bill passes, it will go to the Senate, where it will also need to pass. Once both chambers of Congress pass the bill, it will go to Trump to be signed into law.

Trump said on Nov. 17 that he'd sign the legislation if it crosses his desk.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will the House vote to release files on Jeffrey Epstein? Latest on vote timing

Reporting by Melina Khan, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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