WASHINGTON — As the House voted Tuesday to compel the Justice Department to make public certain records related to Jeffrey Epstein, Representative Clay Higgins cast the sole vote in opposition. He says it endangers due process and might put innocent people at risk, particularly as witnesses and family members, on Nov. 19, 2025.
The 427-to-1 roll call, with two Republicans and three Democrats not voting, is a significant show of support for the bill. This overwhelming majority came over the opposition of Republican leaders to a discharge petition that forced the issue to the floor after weeks of resistance. Clay Higgins was the only member to oppose the measure passed by the chamber.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires DOJ to release unclassified documents and communications related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell — but allows redactions to protect victims and any ongoing investigations.
Rep. Clay Higgins says in a detailed press release: “I have been a principled ‘NO’ since Day 1 on this bill…This abandons over 250 years of criminal justice process and procedure under nationalist influence in America, which I’ll vigorously defend against with my dying breath…”2292 releases and wounds thousands of innocent people….Not by my vote.” He urged Senate privacy amendments. According to Higgins, this bill could set a dangerous precedent for the future of criminal justice in America.
The Senate also played a crucial role in the legislative process. It adopted, by unanimous consent, its version of the House bill so that, on paper, it could be delivered to President Donald Trump, according to real-time updates from the Senate.
Supporters say the bill is a crucial step towards addressing years of public scepticism and improving federal oversight and accountability. A review by the inspector general in 2023 found that there had been neglect, as well as doctored records, at the Manhattan jail where Mr Epstein died — raising new questions about federal oversight and accountability.
The context of the Epstein case stretches back to a nonprosecution agreement in Florida in 2007. A 2020 Justice Department review concluded that then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta used “poor judgment” in handling the case, a determination that has fueled calls for greater transparency about the matter.
Clay Higgins has stated he might back a revamped proposal that clearly protects “named but not criminally implicated” individuals. And because the Senate chose to pass the legislation without making any changes, there may not be another vote in the House before the bill is actually sent to Trump.
