The U.S. House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to require the Justice Department to publicly release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The bill passed with a vote of 427-1 and will now move to the Senate for consideration.

This legislation, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, has gained significant momentum following months of pressure from lawmakers and the public. The lone dissenting vote came from Rep. Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, who has been a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump. Higgins also chairs a subcommittee that previously issued a subpoena for the Epstein files.

President Trump has indicated that he would sign the bill if it passes the Senate, marking a notable shift from his earlier stance on the issue. The bill's passage in the House reflects growing bipartisan support for transparency regarding Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls.

The push for the release of the Epstein files has been a contentious topic, particularly among Trump's supporters, who have called for transparency during his 2024 election campaign. Trump, who was once friends with Epstein, has stated that their relationship ended in 2004.

If the Senate approves the bill, any amendments could require the House to vote again, potentially delaying the release of the files. The outcome of this legislation could have significant implications for ongoing discussions about accountability and transparency in cases involving high-profile individuals.