The House of Representatives is poised for a potentially overwhelming vote today on a bipartisan bill to force the release of federal files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This measure now appears sure to pass thanks to a sudden and complete reversal by President Donald Trump.
The bill, which requires a challenging two-thirds majority of the chamber to pass, faced fierce resistance from the White House and Republican leadership until Sunday.
President Trump had opposed the measure, but his administration’s efforts to halt its momentum failed as a growing number of House Republicans signaled their intent to break ranks and join Democrats in supporting the bill.
The tide officially turned on Sunday when the President reluctantly dropped his opposition. On Monday, Mr. Trump confirmed his change of heart, telling reporters that he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk, a clear sign that he has conceded to the bill’s growing, cross-party support.
“I will sign it,” the President stated, noting he did not want the subject to “distract from his administration’s successes.”
The President’s endorsement is expected to free many Republican lawmakers from any lingering political inhibitions, virtually guaranteeing the bill will secure the necessary supermajority. Last week, GOP leaders were already bracing for significant defections from members responding to public pressure for transparency in the years-old sex trafficking investigation.
The bill, which compels the Justice Department to release all unclassified records, documents, and communications related to the Epstein case, will now move to the Senate if it passes the House as expected. The move marks a rare instance of a bipartisan congressional effort succeeding in the face of initial, strong White House opposition.
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