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▲ Good look for JohnsonCongress / MembersCriminal Justice

House takes major step toward forcing Trump's DOJ to release Epstein files after GOP worked for months to quash effort

Johnson opposed the push for months, then backed the measure as it advanced through Congress.

House takes major step toward forcing Trump's DOJ to release Epstein files after GOP worked for months to quash effort
Image · CNN

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This article1 analysis · Oct 13, 2026
CNN
Nov 18, 2025
tl;dr

The House passed a bill directing the Justice Department to release its Jeffrey Epstein investigative files, by a 427-to-1 vote, and the Senate passed it by unanimous consent. The measure is headed to President Donald Trump, who said he would sign it, after months of opposition from Trump and Republican leaders.

Community verdict

42 VOTES
How does this story look for
Mike Johnson R · LA-4
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker who had tried to stop or slow the bill before supporting it

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who relented on the bill and said he would sign it

Trump's version of this story ↗
Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Representative who led the effort to require release of the Epstein investigative files

Massie's version of this story ↗
Clay Higgins
R · LA-3

Representative who cast the lone vote against the bill

Attorney general whose earlier remarks about an Epstein client list are recounted

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader who did not block the request to pass the bill by unanimous consent

Marjorie Taylor Greene
Former U.S. Representative (R-GA)

Representative who joined the push to release the files

Representative whose signature provided the final support needed to advance the bill

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader who requested unanimous consent to pass the bill

Kevin Kiley
I · CA-3

Representative who supported the bill

Ro Khanna
D · CA-17

Representative who partnered with Massie on the effort to bring the bill to the floor

Jim Jordan
R · OH-4

House Judiciary Committee chair who said he would vote for the measure

ALSO MENTIONED  Kash Patel, FBI director whose earlier comments about the Epstein list are recounted

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