Louisiana Congressman Stands Alone Against Unanimous Vote for Epstein Files Release

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill to release all documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act was 427 to 1. The sole dissenting vote came from Republican Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana.

This decisive action compels the Department of Justice to disclose all unclassified materials related to the federal probe. The move aims to provide unprecedented public transparency into the case.

A Principled Stand for Privacy and Procedure

Congressman Higgins defended his lone “nay” vote in a detailed statement. He posted his explanation on the social media platform X. Higgins stated he was a principled “no” on the bill from its beginning.

He argued the legislation abandons 250 years of American criminal justice procedure. According to his statement, the bill would reveal and injure thousands of innocent people. This includes witnesses, individuals who provided alibis, and family members.

Higgins expressed deep concern about the files being released to a “rabid media.” He believes this would absolutely result in innocent people being hurt. He affirmed this outcome would not happen by his vote.

An Alternative Path for Transparency

The congressman highlighted an alternative method for disclosure. He noted the House Oversight Committee is already conducting a thorough investigation. That effort has already released over 60,000 pages of Epstein case documents.

He emphasized that this committee work will continue with proper protections for innocent Americans. Higgins left the door open for supporting a revised version of the bill. He stated he would vote for it if the Senate amends it to properly address privacy concerns.

This positions his objection not against transparency itself, but against its current execution. His stance focuses on protecting individuals not criminally implicated in the vast files.

The push for the Epstein files release continues to reveal deep political divides on how to achieve justice while protecting the innocent. This lone vote underscores the complex balance between public interest and individual privacy in high-profile cases.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Clay Higgins?

Clay Higgins is a Republican congressman representing Louisiana’s 3rd District. He is an Army veteran and a former law enforcement officer. He has held his congressional seat since 2017.

What was the final vote count on the bill?

The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by a vote of 427 to 1. The legislation received near-unanimous support from the House of Representatives.

What are Higgins’ main reasons for voting no?

He believes the bill harms innocent people like witnesses and family members. Higgins also argues it violates established criminal justice procedures.

What committee is Clay Higgins on?

Congressman Higgins serves on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. He also holds a position on the House Armed Services Committee.

Is the Epstein files release completely stopped?

No, the release is not stopped. The Oversight Committee has already released thousands of pages and will continue its work.