Both chambers of US Congress have agreed to order the US justice department to release its files on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the measure in a 427-1 vote. The Senate said it would pass the bill before it officially received it.
President Donald Trump must ultimately sign off the measure, which he has said he will do. He recently reversed his position and urged fellow Republicans to vote to disclose the records, following pushback from many of his supporters.
Earlier on Tuesday, survivors of Epstein spoke in support of the measure at the US Capitol. One of them said they had suffered institutional betrayal for years.
The Epstein files refer to the vast trove of documents amassed during criminal investigations into the financier, including transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN he expected the upper chamber to receive the bill from the lower one on Wednesday morning, after which it would be passed and sent to Trump for his signature.
Trump stated the timing was not an issue for him and insisted that the matter should not distract from the “Victories” his administration has made, illustrating his complicated relationship with the issue and Epstein's legacy.
Despite Trump's assurance to sign the bill, concerns have been raised about the possible legal ramifications for individuals mentioned within the documents, which includes flight logs and ties to various entities.
In a surprising turn, even House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously called the release a Democrat hoax, voted in favor alongside other Republicans, many of whom faced backlash from constituents.
Trump’s evolving stance has caught some lawmakers off guard as the political narrative surrounding the Epstein files continues to expose notable rifts within the Republican party.
Ultimately, the bill places a deadline on the Attorney General to release the classified files within 30 days, though some information may still be withheld for ongoing investigations or to protect victims' identities.
Epstein was found dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 following charges of sex trafficking, cases that have reverberated through high-profile social and political circles.
The broad support for the release of these files indicates a significant change in Washington's attitude toward accountability and transparency regarding Epstein's extensive criminal activities.
