WASHINGTON D.C. — On Nov. 18 the U.S. House of Representatives voted on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that requires the Justice Department to disclose Jeffrey Epstein's investigative records, excluding national security matters.

The votes were 427 for and 1 against. The lone vote was Clay Higgins (R-La). The bill now advances to the Senate.

“We fought the president, the attorney general, the FBI director, the Speaker of the House and the vice president to get this win,” said Rep. Massie. “They’re on our side today, so let’s give them some credit as well.”

“Don’t muck it up in the Senate,” continued Rep. Massie. “Don’t get too cute. We’re all paying attention.”

Florida Rep. Scott Franklin, who’s district contains Okeechobee, Glades, and Hendry County, says while he supports releasing the Epstein files, they must be released responsibly.

“The House took an important step today to bring long overdue transparency to the Jeffrey Epstein atrocities,” said Rep. Franklin. “The public deserves to understand how he operated for so many years without being held fully accountable. No one, regardless of status or power, should ever be shielded from justice.”

“Releasing these records must be done carefully to uphold due process and protect victims,” explained Rep. Franklin. “This bill moves us toward that goal by requiring broad disclosure while allowing limited redactions for victim privacy, national security and active investigations. However, additional refinement is needed to address lingering concerns about victim protection, treatment of unproven allegations and the risk of exposing sensitive investigative information. I urge the Senate to strengthen these provisions as it takes up the measure and expect agencies to use every available tool to ensure victims’ identities are not disclosed except where required by law.”

The uproar around the Epstein files exploded this summer when the FBI and the Justice Department announced on July 7 that their investigation concluded Epstein died by suicide, with Attorney General Pam Bondi0 announcing that there was no incriminating “client list” and that they found no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions.

President Trump downplayed the concerns over the Jeffery Epstein sex trafficking case. Speaking to reporters on July 15 he called the case “pretty boring” and said he didn’t see the fascination with it. While taking questions in the Oval Office on July 16, President Trump referred to the Epstein files as “the Epstein Hoax”.

“I call it the Epstein hoax,” said President Trump. “They’re talking about a guy who died three or four years ago. They want to talk about the Epstein hoax. I’d rather talk about the success we’ve had.”

Early this week, when it was clear the Epstein Files Transparency Act would have enough votes to pass, President Trump reversed course and encouraged Republicans to vote for it.

"House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide," Trump wrote on Sunday night. "And it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics.”