A sweeping vote in the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files, but one lone member stood in opposition. Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana cast the single “no” vote, defying the bipartisan support for transparency surrounding the convicted sex offender.
The bill, designed to force the Justice Department to publicly release the documents, had faced months of resistance, particularly from former President Donald Trump and some Republicans. The dramatic shift in support came after Trump signaled he would no longer actively oppose a vote, paving the way for near-universal Republican backing.
Higgins, a staunch Trump ally and chairman of a subcommittee that previously subpoenaed the Justice Department for the Epstein files, explained his dissenting vote with a firm conviction. He argued the bill fundamentally undermines centuries of established criminal justice procedure within the United States.
According to Higgins, the legislation, in its current form, poses a significant risk to countless innocent individuals. He specifically cited the potential for harm to witnesses, those who provided alibis, and even family members mentioned within the investigative files.
He voiced concerns that a broad release of these documents to a highly sensationalized media environment would inevitably lead to the unjust targeting and injury of people not involved in any criminal activity. His position wasn’t a sudden decision; he’d consistently opposed the bill for the past three months.
Despite the overwhelming 427-1 vote, Higgins indicated his stance isn’t entirely inflexible. He stated he would reconsider his position if the Senate amends the bill to adequately protect the privacy of victims and other Americans named in the files who are not criminally implicated.
Higgins’ background adds another layer to his reasoning. A reserve law enforcement officer who won his seat in a 2016 runoff election, he brings a unique perspective rooted in practical experience with criminal investigations and the importance of protecting individual rights.
The Senate is now poised to act swiftly on the bill, with Majority Leader John Thune suggesting a potential vote by unanimous consent as early as late Tuesday. The prospect of the Epstein files becoming public is now closer than ever, despite the lone voice of dissent from Representative Higgins.
