Congress passes bill to force the release of the Epstein files

The House overwhelmingly passed legislation to force the Justice Department to release all of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

WASHINGTON — Congress voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to pass legislation to compel the Justice Department to release its records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a major victory for lawmakers in both parties who've been leading the push for months.

As the final vote tally in the House, 427-1, was read, several Epstein survivors who were sitting in the gallery embraced one another and loud cheers went up through the chamber. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., was the only lawmaker to vote no.

Just hours later, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., headed to the floor and requested unanimous consent that the measure be passed in the upper chamber once the bill is sent over from the House.

Not a single senator objected.

It means that once the paperwork is sent from the House to the Senate, the bill will be sent straight to President Donald Trump, who has vowed to sign it into law.