Congress Passes Bill to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files

Washington, D.C.

In a rare bipartisan move, the U.S. Congress has passed legislation mandating the release of investigative files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The measure, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, was signed into law this week, requiring the Justice Department to make public all unclassified records within 30 days.

The House of Representatives approved the bill overwhelmingly with a 427–1 vote, while the Senate passed it by unanimous consent. The law directs the Attorney General to provide Congress with a report detailing any redactions and to publicly list the names of politically exposed individuals referenced in the files.

The files cover a broad range of materials, including communications, travel logs, and documents concerning Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell, along with other related evidence. Lawmakers emphasized that the bill balances transparency with protections for victims and ongoing investigations.

“This is a historic step toward accountability,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “It ensures that critical information about Epstein’s network and activities becomes available to the public, while safeguarding the privacy of victims.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who sponsored the bill in the House, highlighted the strong public demand for transparency. “The American people deserve to know the full extent of Epstein’s actions and the people involved,” they stated.

The law requires the Justice Department to release the documents within 30 days, with a follow-up report to Congress within 15 days after publication. Redactions are permitted only to protect victims’ identities or sensitive ongoing investigations, preventing the withholding of information solely for reputational reasons.

Public reaction to the law has been largely positive. Epstein survivors and advocates welcomed the move, hoping it would shed light on the full scope of his activities. Legal experts note that while some information may remain redacted, this represents one of the most significant pushes for transparency in the Epstein case to date.

The release of these files is expected to generate renewed public interest in Epstein’s network and may have far-reaching implications for investigations into high-profile associates connected to his criminal activities.

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