Who Voted Against Releasing the Epstein Files: Full Breakdown of the House Vote

The House voted overwhelmingly to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, but one lawmaker stood alone in opposition. The bill passed 427–1 on Tuesday, leaving many Americans searching for who voted against releasing the Epstein files and why. The lone “no” vote came from Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana.

The decision marks one of the most bipartisan actions of the year. Lawmakers moved to force the Department of Justice to publicly release documents connected to Epstein, his criminal network, and the investigation into his 2019 death. The vote also reignited debate about transparency, privacy, and how far Congress should go in unsealing investigative records.

Inside the House Vote on Who Voted Against Releasing the Epstein Files

Only one member of Congress voted against the bill: Rep. Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana. He sits on a subcommittee involved in the push to obtain documents tied to the Epstein case, making his vote even more notable. According to reporting by the Associated Press, Higgins argued that the legislation abandons long-standing principles of criminal procedure and could harm innocent individuals whose names appear in investigative files.

In a statement posted on X, he said the bill “reveals and injures thousands of innocent people – witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members.” Higgins also warned that releasing large volumes of law enforcement material to what he called a “rabid media” could cause real harm. He emphasized that his opposition was rooted in protecting privacy, not defending Epstein or anyone associated with him.

The bill directs the Justice Department to release every file, communication, and record tied to Epstein, with narrow allowances for redactions. Information related to minors, victims, and active federal investigations may be censored. But the bill explicitly bans redactions for reasons of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity. That means government officials, public figures, and foreign dignitaries named in the files cannot be shielded for those reasons.

Lawmakers backing the bill said the public deserves to know which powerful individuals had ties to Epstein. Several survivors of Epstein’s abuse stood alongside lawmakers outside the Capitol to support the bill. They argued that transparency is necessary for accountability and closure.

Impact of the Lone “No” Vote and What Comes Next

The next step is the Senate, where support for disclosure appears strong. If passed, the Justice Department would face strict deadlines for releasing hundreds of pages of documents. Officials would need to justify any redactions under the narrow guidelines in the bill.

Legal experts note that the bill could set a precedent for releasing investigative files in other high-profile cases. The Associated Press reported that transparency advocates view the legislation as a victory for public oversight. Negotiations over how to protect victims while exposing misconduct continue to shape the debate.

Higgins’ vote, while symbolic in numbers, highlights the tension between transparency and privacy. His objections signal that future disputes may arise over how law enforcement files are unsealed and who gets to decide what the public sees.

As the Senate prepares to debate the measure, national attention remains centered on who voted against releasing the Epstein files and why. The issue will continue to draw scrutiny as Congress moves closer to unprecedented public disclosure.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who voted against releasing the Epstein files?

Only Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana voted “no” on the bill. The House passed the measure 427–1.

Q2: Why did Clay Higgins vote against the release?

He said the bill would harm innocent people named in investigative files and violate long-standing criminal justice norms.

Q3: What does the Epstein files bill require?

The bill forces the Justice Department to release all files tied to Epstein, with limited redactions for victims and active investigations.

Q4: Can officials have their names removed?

No. The bill bans redactions for embarrassment, political sensitivity, or reputational harm.

Q5: When will the files be released?

The timeline depends on Senate approval and Justice Department processing once the bill becomes law.

References

Associated Press. (2025). House votes overwhelmingly to release Jeffrey Epstein files. Published Nov. 18, 2025.

FOX Local. (2025). Epstein files vote: Here’s who voted against releasing the Epstein files. Published Nov. 18, 2025.