Congress Leaves Epstein Files Bill Unvoted Until After Midterms

Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Deborah Ross introduced legislation addressing the financial burdens of survivors in Jeffrey Epstein's abuse case. The Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which would address enforcement gaps that advocates say exist in current law, has not received a floor vote. Congress is in recess ahead of the midterm elections.

Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer at Goldlaw who has represented multiple survivors, said his concern is that institutions will treat the current news cycle as a reason to move on. "Justice should not have an expiration date, and it certainly should not be dictated by the news cycle," he said. He urged continued release of Epstein files, which advocates say contain omissions, and called on Congress to demand accountability.

Jennifer Freeman of Marsh Law, who represents survivors in litigation over the abuse of teenage girls, called attention diverted over the past year disappointing. She remains optimistic the case will command focus again soon. Freeman is pursuing a lawsuit against the US government over alleged negligence in failing to properly investigate and prosecute Epstein for decades, and is litigating a class action against his estate over his collection and production of child sex abuse images.

Shawn Donahue, a clinical associate professor of political science at the University at Buffalo, expects the issue to resurface when lawmakers return, particularly if Democrats win one or both chambers. He expects them to quickly "put Republicans on the spot" and to begin investigating from day one if they take the House, as polls project. Brittany Martinez, a Republican strategist and acting director of Principles First, said she expects to hear less about it "for stretches, rather than see it disappear altogether."

Julie Roginsky, co-founder of the non-profit Lift Our Voices, said Epstein is part of the reason President Trump's numbers are at record lows and that some Republicans broke with him over it. Representative Ayanna Pressley said demands for accountability would not change "no matter how much they try to flood the zone." Representative Teresa Leger Fernández acknowledged Americans vote with their pocketbooks but said they will not forget the president was Epstein's friend. Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico said he would keep pushing for full release of the files.

The White House said Trump has been totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein. Spokeswoman Lauren Bis cited the release of thousands of pages of documents, cooperation with the House Oversight Committee's subpoena request, and signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The Department of Justice maintains it has complied with disclosure requirements and said it remains available to assist New Mexico consistent with the law and binding court orders.