WASHINGTON D.C. — After years of controversy over the files of the disgraced financier, the late Jeffrey Epstein, the US Congress voted Tuesday to publicly release the files. All members of the Washington Congressional delegation voted in favor of the release.  

“While Jeffrey Epstein is dead, the fact remains that his victims were trafficked, their innocence exploited, and they deserve justice for the heinous crimes committed by this horrible man,” said Fourth District Representative Dan Newhouse in a statement released after the vote. “The entirety of the debate has centered around one thing, transparency.” 

Epstein died in 2019 after being arrested on federal charges of sex trafficking minors in Florida and New York. His death, its manner and the possible information in his records has been the focus of controversy since. In the five years since he died, different people have taken different views at different times on the question of his death, as well as the release of his records. The bill approved by Congress has been submitted to President Donald Trump, who has said he would sign it. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wednesday the eligible records would be released within 30 days, according to the New York Post. 

The bill was approved by the House on a 427-1 vote, with five House members not voting, according to USA Today.  The legislation requires all unclassified records pertaining to the case, including flight logs and travel records, the Newhouse press release said. Personal information about victims and materials that could jeopardize active federal investigations is exempted.  

Both Washington Democrats and Republicans voted for the release. The Washington delegation includes Democrats Susan DelBene, First District; Rick Larsen, Second District; Maria Glusenkamp Perez, Third District; Emily Randall, Sixth District; Pramila Jayapal, Seventh District, Kim Schrier, Eighth District; Adam Smith, Ninth District and Marilyn Strickland, Tenth District. The Republicans are Newhouse and Michael Baumgarnter, Fifth District.  

In the Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, introduced a resolution for unanimous consent, which allowed approval of the bill without a roll call vote. Both Washington Senators, Democrats Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, voted in favor of the resolution. 

All Senate Democrats, including Cantwell, signed a letter to Majority Leader John Thune, according to a press release from her office. 

“The victims of Jeffery Epstein – and the American people – deserve answers, accountability and the truth,” the letter said.