Overwhelming Support for Transparency

After months of delays and strategic maneuvering, the House of Representatives voted 427 to 1 in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation, if enacted, would mandate the Department of Justice to release all unclassified materials related to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The Senate has also signaled unanimous agreement to expedite the bill, which is set to head to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature.

Change in Presidential Stance

The swift passage in the House became almost inevitable after President Trump reversed his previous stance on the files. On Sunday, he publicly called for their release, asserting, “we have nothing to hide” and characterizing the surrounding controversy as a “Democrat hoax.”

Trump’s shift came after failed attempts to persuade two Republican Congresswomen, Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace, to withdraw their names from a petition that would force a vote on the files’ release. Faced with the prospect of numerous Republicans siding with Democrats for the release, he chose to relent.

Impact of House Vote

Trump’s endorsement seemed to liberate even more Republican representatives from hesitation, ultimately leading to a bipartisan outcome, with Clay Higgins of Louisiana being the only member to oppose the measure. Five representatives abstained from voting.

Senate Approval Explained

The initial expectation was that the Senate might present some resistance to the bill. John Barrasso, the Republican majority whip, had previously suggested that he would review the bill if it passed the House but hinted that Democrats were more focused on political gains than on achieving accountability.

However, the overwhelming vote in the House diminished any potential resistance in the Senate. The remarkable support allowed Democrats to push the legislation through using unanimous consent, which avoids formal roll call voting. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough. Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”

What’s Next for the President?

Trump indicated that he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk. Nevertheless, his recent U-turn does leave room for speculation. He possesses the authority to veto the bill, but doing so at this late stage would likely intensify suspicions about what he may be concealing.

Possibility of Overriding a Veto

Should Trump wield his veto power, Congress could still override it with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. Given the current overwhelming support, this requirement appears feasible.

Potential Strategies for Trump

Regardless of whether Trump signs the bill voluntarily or as a result of congressional pressure, he has already initiated a Justice Department investigation into notable figures mentioned in the recent batch of Epstein-related emails released by the House oversight committee. This could create grounds for the Justice Department to withhold certain documents, claiming their release might be prejudicial.

Last Friday, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate connections between Epstein and various prominent individuals, including former President Bill Clinton and notable Democratic donors. These actions may raise concerns that any released documents could be incomplete or selectively presented.