President Donald Trump is expected to sign the House bill to force the Justice Department to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after it cleared the Senate.
After the House voted 427-1 Tuesday to approve the bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requested unanimous consent to immediately pass it once it was delivered to the Senate, which was granted.
For months, Republicans and President Donald Trump have sought to quash the House from voting on the measure to release documents and communications about Epstein’s alleged child sex trafficking ring and ties to high-profile individuals.
Survivors of Epstein sat in the House chamber as lawmakers voted to pass the measure, some tearful. During a press conference earlier in the day, many criticized the president for refusing to release the files without congressional action.
The president has accused Democrats of manufacturing a “hoax” around the files to distract the public from Republican successes.
But under pressure from several Republican lawmakers, including former Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the president reversed his position Sunday and told GOP lawmakers to agree to the bill. He promised Monday to sign the bill if it got to his desk.
Read MoreFive things to watch as the House of Representatives tees up a vote on the Epstein files
Key Points
- House passes Epstein files release bill 427-1
- Trump defends Saudi crown prince when asked about killing of Jamal Khashoggi
- Representatives says US should follow in UK footsteps after stripping Prince Andrew of title
- Clay Higgins becomes only 'no' vote on Epstein files
- Senate will pass Epstein bill after Chuck Schumer pushed for unanimous consent
Thomas Massie warns of 'legal penalties' if Epstein files are not released following bill's signing
05:30 , Rachel DobkinRepresentative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who co-sponsored a bill to release Justice Department files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, warned of “legal penalties” if the files are not released after the bill is signed into law.
“There are criminal penalties if they don’t follow the law,” Massie told CNN Tuesday night. “People could eventually go to jail for not releasing these files.”
With Trump set to sign the Epstein bill, @RepThomasMassie says their recourse will be legal if the files aren't released.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 19, 2025
“There are criminal penalties if they don’t follow the law…People could eventually go to jail for not releasing these files. pic.twitter.com/OwO7OxqXWx
Democrat Senator says Treasury Department has ' thousands and thousands' of Epstein bank records, calls for their release
05:00 , Rachel DobkinSenate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said Tuesday the Treasury Department has '”thousands and thousands” of bank records from the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“My follow-the-money investigation into Epstein’s network that began in 2022 will continue regardless of how the Department of Justice proceeds,” Wyden said after the House and Senate approved a bill to force the DOJ to release files related to Epstein.
The senator continued: “There is another massive Epstein file in the possession of the Treasury Department containing thousands and thousands of his bank records, and that file must be released too.
“The information in those bank records, a portion of which my investigators reviewed at the Treasury in 2024, is key to uncovering who financed Epstein’s network, who enabled his trafficking, and who else participated.”
Epstein faced federal sex trafficking charges when he died by suicide in jail in 2019.
Wyden added: “Secretary Bessent has repeatedly refused to produce those records for further investigation. If he won’t change his tune, Congress must change it for him.”
The Independent has reached out to the Treasury Department for comment.
Full story: Trump designates Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally as president heaps praise on crown prince
04:40 , Andrew FeinbergThe United States will elevate Saudi Arabia to “major non-NATO ally” status, granting the oil-rich autocracy preferred access to military and economic privileges and deeper ties with the American military-industrial complex.
President Donald Trump announced the country’s new status at a black tie dinner to honor Saudi Arabia’s prime minister and de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, late Tuesday.
“I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them,” Trump said.
He added that he had kept the move a secret until the dinner as a surprise for the crown prince, who has spent years cultivating deep ties with Trump’s family and business interests dating back to the president’s first term in the White House.
Read on...
Trump designates Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally as he heaps praise on MBS
In pictures: Vigil held for Epstein survivors
04:20 , Rachel DobkinAfter the House passed a bill Tuesday to force the release of government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a bipartisan congressional vigil was hosted for survivors of Epstein’s abuse.
The Senate later approved the measure, and President Donald Trump previously promised to sign it into law.
Watch: GOP congresswoman says Trump is 'clean' after House votes to release Epstein files
04:00 , Rachel DobkinRepresentative Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, told Fox News Tuesday that President Donald Trump is “clean” after the House voted to force the Justice Department to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: "We know that Mr President is clean. He's the most investigated man in US history. And definitely I'm frankly glad that those emails came out because it proved what we have been saying the whole thing." pic.twitter.com/3cPAtrRM7T
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 18, 2025
Trump, who was friends with Epstein decades ago, was repeatedly mentioned in emails from the disgraced financier’s estate, which Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released last week.
GOP congressman reacts to House rejecting his censure of Stacey Plaskett: 'What happened to accountability?'
03:40 , Rachel DobkinRepresentative Ralph Norman, a South Carolina Republican, has reacted to the House rejecting his censure of Delegate Stacey Plaskett, who reportedly sent texts to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing.
“This is the problem in Washington!! The establishment protects ITSELF, and the American people get pushed ASIDE. What happened to accountability?” Norman wrote on X Tuesday night.
🚨The House failed to pass my censure of Dem. Stacey Plaskett, a sitting member of Congress who took direction from Epstein in the middle of a 2019 Oversight Committee hearing.
— Rep. Ralph Norman (@RepRalphNorman) November 19, 2025
This is the problem in Washington!! The establishment protects ITSELF, and the American people get…
Massie gloats about Trump folding on Epstein: "It means when you're on the side of the people, you can win"
03:20 , Eric GarciaRep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the Republican who led the charge to pass legislation on the Epstein files bragged about getting President Donald Trump to fold and allow for a vote on files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) filed the discharge petition that forced a vote to release files related to the late convicted sex offender.
"I beat the President, the Vice President, the attorney general, the FBI director and the speaker of the House," Massie told The Independent. "More importantly, it means when you're on the side of the people, you can win."
In addition, once the legislation is sent to the Senate, it will automatically be considered passed after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer filed unanimous consent on the legislation.
At the same time, Trump has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the late pedophile's ties to Democrats like former president Bill Clinton and former Treasury secretary Larry Summers.
"You can't open enough investigations to cover up for all of the crimes," Massie said. "So they may cover up small parts the Epstein files, but the majority of it's going to come out, and the disclosure is required within 30 days."
Trump attacked Massie repeatedly, including mocking his marriage this year after his wife Rhonda died last year.
House votes against censuring Stacey Plaskett
03:03 , Rachel DobkinThe House has voted against censuring Delegate Stacey Plaskett, who reportedly sent texts to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing.
A resolution from Republican Congressman Ralph Norman called for Plaskett to be censured and removed from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
But it failed 209-214, largely along party lines, Tuesday night.
Speaking on the House floor, Plaskett said, “You want to talk about texting felons, how often do you text President Donald J. Trump?”
Plaskett: You want to talk about texting felons, how often do you text President Donald J. Trump? pic.twitter.com/MYVtUILwT4
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 18, 2025
Trump was convicted of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. The president has maintained his innocence.
Trump’s approval rating falls to lowest of his term over prices and Epstein files, new poll finds
02:40 , Graig GraziosiPresident Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to its lowest in his second term, largely due to discontent with the economy and the handling of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, which lasted four days and ended on Monday, saw Trump's approval rating fall to 38 percent.
On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a measure that would force the U.S. Department of Justice to release all of its files concerning its investigation into Epstein.
The president has, until recently, opposed the move, insisting both that his alleged involvement with Epstein is a hoax and that it is Democrats who are more implicated in the documents. On Sunday, after the House Oversight Committee released another tranche of Epstein documents, which include emails referencing Trump, the president reversed his position and called for House Republicans to release the files.
Watch: GOP congressman says he has 'some concerns' about the Epstein files release
02:20 , Rachel DobkinRepresentative Greg Murphy, a North Carolina Republican, told Newsmax Tuesday that he has “some concerns” about the release of government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Murphy, along with almost every other House member, voted on a bill Tuesday to force the Justice Department to release the files.
Rep. Greg Murphy: "I do have some concerns because these files are voluminous and just being named does not make you guilty. If Epstein gave you a tip or something if you worked at a door or something, it doesn't make you guilty of a crime." pic.twitter.com/DDkcemFnzM
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 18, 2025
Chuck Schumer gives warning to Trump after Congress approves release of Epstein files
02:00 , Rachel DobkinSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has given a warning to President Donald Trump after Congress approved the release of government files relating to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“If the President tries to manipulate his way into releasing just some of the Epstein files while deliberately hiding others, the public will see right through it,” Schumer wrote on X Tuesday evening.
Congress just voted overwhelmingly to pass the Epstein bill.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) November 18, 2025
Once this bill lands on the president’s desk, Donald Trump must obey the letter of the law and ensure full transparency regarding the Epstein files.
If the President tries to manipulate his way into releasing just…
Watch: Thomas Massie says he will 'absolutely' read the names of Epstein's alleged clients if DOJ doesn't release files
01:40 , Rachel DobkinRepresentative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who co-sponsored a bill to release Justice Department files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, told CNN Tuesday he will “absolutely” read the names of people in the files if the DOJ doesn't release them.
“We know who some of the men are,” Massie said.
GOP Rep. Thomas Massie says if Trump’s DOJ doesn’t release the Epstein files, he will go to the floor and would “absolutely” read the names of Epstein’s alleged clients.
Would go that route if “we hit all of the walls.”
He added: “But so far, we’re making it through the walls.” pic.twitter.com/K0V7vdcb6l
Trump official says Epstein bill 'will be signed whenever it gets to the White House'
01:20 , Rachel DobkinA senior Trump administration official told NBC News the bill to force the Justice Department to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “will be signed whenever it gets to the White House.”
A senior administration official tells NBC News: “The bill will be signed whenever it gets to the White House.”
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) November 18, 2025
Trump announces U.S. formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally
01:06 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump announced Tuesday night that the U.S. formally designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally.
“I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them,” Trump said at a White House dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
A major non-NATO ally status “provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation,” according to the State Department’s website.
Trump says it's 'privilege' to welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
00:53 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump said at a White House dinner Tuesday night that it was a “special privilege” to welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, D.C., “as we mark the 80th anniversary of the first meeting between a U.S. president and a Saudi King.”
“Eight decades ago, in 1945, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt met with the Crown Prince's own grandfather, the founder of the Saudi Arabian incredible country, and that was King Abdul Aziz,” Trump said.
Who is at the White House dinner?
00:30 , Rachel DobkinThe White House has invited 120 people to dinner Tuesday night, including 30 from the Saudi delegation, Reuters reported.
Aside from President Donlad Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, tech billionaire Elon Musk, a onetime adviser to the president, is expected to attend.
Trump moments away from dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
00:21 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump is hosting a dinner at the White House for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Tuesday night.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump and Prince Mohammed took questions from reporters in the Oval Office. When ABC News’ Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce asked about the 2018 death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence said was likely ordered by Prince Mohammed, Trump berated her.
Read more about the incident from Katie Hawkinson:
Trump rages at ABC reporter over Oval Office question
Makeup seen on Trump's hand...again
00:12 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump was once again seen with makeup on his hand ahead of a White House dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Tuesday night.
The White House has said Trump’s hand gets bruised from frequent handshaking. He has been known to cover it up with makeup.
In pictures: Trump and Melania ahead of White House Dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
00:06 , Rachel Dobkin House Oversight Committee subpoenas Epstein's financial records
Tuesday 18 November 2025 23:40 , Rachel DobkinThe House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed J.P.Morgan Chase and Deutsche Bank for financial records from the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
🚨🚨🚨
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) November 18, 2025
I’ve just issued SUBPOENAS to J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank for Jeffrey Epstein’s financial records.
I’m also requesting U.S. Virgin Islands AG Gordon Rhea to provide documents to further @GOPoversight’s review of the federal government’s investigation of Epstein. pic.twitter.com/7oEkMbp46V
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, wrote in a letter to JPMorgan Chase’s general counsel that the committee is “reviewing the possible mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation of Mr. Jeffrey Epstein and Ms. Ghislaine Maxwell...”
Senate acts with lightning speed to pass Epstein files release after Trump gives green light
Tuesday 18 November 2025 23:20 , Eric GarciaThe U.S. Senate moved rapidly to pass the legislation to compel the Justice Department to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — just a couple of hours after the House of Representatives almost unanimously passed the legislation.
The Senate did not add amendments, despite overtures from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had initially opposed the initial vote in the House until President Donald Trump made a last-minute about-face to say he would sign the legislation.
“When a bill passes the House for 27 to one and the president said he'll sign it in law, I'm not sure that the there's going to be a need for an amendment or desire for an amendment process,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told The Independent after the House held its vote.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) requested unanimous consent for the legislation to deem it passed as soon as it came to the Senate floor, sending it to Trump’s desk.
Read on...
Senate passes Epstein files release at lightning speed after Trump gives green light
Thomas Massie responds to Mike Johnson's calls to amend Epstein bill: 'A fool's errand'
Tuesday 18 November 2025 23:00 , Rachel DobkinRepresentative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who co-sponsored a bill to release government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has responded to House Speaker Mike Johnson's calls to amend the legislation.
Despite Johnson voting for the bill, he insisted that the Senate amend it. The speaker has argued that the bill doesn’t do enough to protect Epstein survivors.
"Amending this is a fool's errand. I know why the Speaker's doing that. He's trying to save face,” Massie said Tuesday, per NBC News’ Sahil Kapur. “He just voted for a bill that he's spread lies about for five months in order to try to kill it. And then he had to vote for it because the president told him to. And so he has to pursue some kind of amendment in order to save face."
The Senate ended up not amending the bill. Instead, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s request for unanimous consent to immediately pass the legislation once it was delivered to the Senate was granted.
Trump says he doesn’t care when the Senate passes the Epstein bill after the upper chamber quickly approves the measure
Tuesday 18 November 2025 22:50 , Rachel DobkinAfter the House voted 427-1 Tuesday to approve a bill to force the release of government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requested unanimous consent to immediately pass it once it was delivered to the Senate, which was granted.
In response, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “I don’t care when the Senate passes the House Bill, whether tonight, or at some other time in the near future, I just don’t want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that we’ve had…”
Trump has promised to sign the bill if it gets to his desk.
House Democrats defend Stacey Plaskett for Epstein texts
Tuesday 18 November 2025 22:40 , Rachel DobkinHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin defended Delegate Stacey Plaskett, who reportedly sent texts to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing.
A resolution from Republican Congressman Ralph Norman called for Plaskett to be censured and removed from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
“There's nothing that House Republicans can do to disgrace Stacey Plaskett because House Republicans continue to disgrace themselves,” Jeffries of New York said on the House floor Tuesday.
Jeffries: There's nothing that house Republicans can do to disgrace Stacey Plaskett because house Republicans continue to disgrace themselves pic.twitter.com/tGh5flZjQ7
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 18, 2025
Raskin of Maryland said Plaskett was simply “taking a phone call from her constituent,” adding, “I don’t think there’s any rule here against taking phone calls in a hearing.”
Jamie Raskin — one of the worst to ever disgrace the halls of Congress — says @StaceyPlaskett was just "taking a phone call from her constituent" when she colluded with a convicted sex offender during a committee hearing.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 18, 2025
These people are SICK! https://t.co/t2mgClf8FK pic.twitter.com/JmnwR1OeaQ
Plaskett represents the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned a private island known as Little St. Thomas.
Read more about the Plaskett-Epstein texts:
Epstein texted Democrat hints for questions during hearing into Trump’s former fixer
Senate will pass Epstein bill after Chuck Schumer pushed for unanimous consent
Tuesday 18 November 2025 22:31 , Rachel DobkinThe Senate will pass the House bill to force the government to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pushed for unanimous consent.
Once the bill comes to the Senate, it will pass automatically and then be brought to President Donald Trump’s desk. Trump has promised to sign the bill.
Chuck Schumer says he will ask for unanimous consent for Senate to pass bill to release Epstein files
Tuesday 18 November 2025 22:20 , Rachel DobkinSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that he will ask for unanimous consent for the upper chamber to pass the House bill to release government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“As soon as the House sends us the Epstein bill, the Senate should move without delay to pass it unamended and send it on to the president’s desk to be signed into law,” the New York Democrat said on the Senate floor. “We should pass this bill as soon as possible, as written, and without a hint of delay.”
Watch: Epstein survivor says accountability has escaped multiple presidencies
Tuesday 18 November 2025 22:05 , Ariana BaioHouse votes near unanimously to release the Epstein file
Tuesday 18 November 2025 21:45 , Eric GarciaThe House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation compelling the Department of Justice to make public all of its files on the pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. But when, or if, the files will ultimately be released remains unclear.
Read more from Eric Garcia:
House votes to release the Epstein files after Trump’s major about-face
Republican senators voice support for releasing Epstein files
Tuesday 18 November 2025 21:33 , Ariana BaioSenators Rand Paul, Chuck Grassley, Bill Hagerty and Markwayne Mullin are among the Republicans who have said they would support the release of the Epstein files in the Senate immediately.
Grassley, the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, said he had been calling for the release of the Epstein files since 2019 and urged the Senate to pass the bill “ASAP.”
Paul said he was co-sponsoring legislation introduced by Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley.
Haggerty said on X that he would support the release of the files just as President Donald Trump does.
Mullin urged lawmakers to release the Epstein files while simultaneously criticizing Rep. Stacey Paskett for texting Epstein.
Greene says she will read the names mentioned in Epstein files on House floor
Tuesday 18 November 2025 21:20 , Ariana BaioRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene applauded her colleagues for passing the bill to release the Epstein files nearly unanimously and said she would read the names of the individuals named in the files if they are fully released by the Senate and president.
“Americans are done being lied to. These survivors deserve full transparency. Every document, every truth, every name,” Greene wrote on X.
“And if those names reach me, I will read them on the House floor.”
Today’s vote to finally force the release of the Epstein files is a major victory for the survivors who’ve waited decades for the truth.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) November 18, 2025
I stood with them this morning, the survivors who told the FBI, told law enforcement, begged for help, and were ignored.
This vote should’ve… pic.twitter.com/kcTo5EH0dv
Epstein survivor Annie Farmer applauds House for passing vote
Tuesday 18 November 2025 21:00 , Ariana BaioAnnie Farmer, a woman who survived abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein when she was a teenager, applauded the House of Representatives for passing the bill that could compel the Justice Department to release the remainder of the Epstein files.
“My sister, Maria Farmer, first reported Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to federal authorities nearly three decades ago. Since then, survivors – myself included – have been left in the dark about how our reports were investigated, who was involved in our abuse and trafficking, and why Epstein and Maxwell were able to get away with inflicting pain on so many women and girls for years,” Farmer said in a statement.
Farmer thanked Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, who introduced the bill.
“But today’s actions are only part of the solution — Maria’s lawsuit, which aims to hold the federal government accountable for their mismanagement of her reported abuse, is still ongoing. We hope her suit finally brings much deserved transparency and accountability for all those implicated,” Farmer added.