House Epstein files vote expected after Trump backs release
Epstein abuse survivor Lisa Phillips speaks at a press conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act with lawmakers outside the U.S. Capitol on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Heather Diehl | Getty Images
House A vote is expected Tuesday to order the Justice Department to release all its files on notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, two days after President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew his opposition to the bipartisan bill.
The measure will reportedly come up during the chamber’s first series of votes, which will be held around 2 p.m. ET, NBC News reported.
House Majority Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told NBC Monday night that “almost everyone” would vote to pass the legislation.
This wasn’t always the case. The push to release the Epstein files had faced opposition from GOP lawmakers who followed Trump’s lead, with the White House warning that supporting the effort would be considered a “hostile act.”
The habeas corpus petition, which would have forced a vote on the bill, stalled as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) kept representatives out of session for nearly eight weeks during the government shutdown. The extended absence delayed the swearing-in of Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva, the last signature needed to advance the petition.
The lockdown ended last Wednesday, and Grijalva signed the dismissal petition after being sworn in. However, due to mounting pressure, Johnson said he would put the Epstein bill to a vote earlier than expected.
The bill by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California is being introduced to the House under a procedure that would require a two-thirds majority to pass. If successful, it will go to the Senate.
Trump, a former friend of Epstein who had a falling out with him years ago, said during the campaign that he would support the release of files from the government’s investigations into the wealthy and well-connected financier. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges.
However, Trump’s Justice Department said in a statement: July 6 note It said it had conducted a “thorough review” of matters related to Epstein and determined “further disclosure would not be appropriate or warranted.”
That determination, and Trump’s insistence that the focus on Epstein was a “hoax” by Democrats, sparked outrage across the political spectrum, including from some of Trump’s supporters.
The House Oversight Committee announced last week thousands of documents from Epstein’s estate, including emails showing Epstein mentioning Trump.
Trump abruptly reversed course Sunday night, urging House Republicans to vote in favor of the Epstein files bill.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
