Jeffrey Epstein victims gathered on Capitol Hill Wednesday to press Congress to support a bipartisan bill that would force the release of all government documents related to the late sex trafficker. The emotional news conference came as Representatives Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, and Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, pushed forward a discharge petition aimed at forcing a House vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Attorney Bradley Edwards, who represents multiple Epstein survivors, told the gathered crowd that Americans will be “appalled” when they see documents that remain hidden from public view. Edwards led successful lawsuits against JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank that resulted in settlements totaling $365 million for victims. The banks were accused of knowingly providing financial infrastructure for Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.
“I was only 14 years old when my friend brought me over to Jeffrey Epstein’s house in Palm Beach in 2003,” said survivor Jena-Lisa Jones during the news conference, as per Fox News. “I always did my best in school and I had such a positive outlook on life. Until that day that I met Jeffrey, I have never been more scared in my life than I was that first time that he hurt me.” Jones pleaded directly to lawmakers and President Trump, saying “Please vote for this bill to be passed. Please, President Trump, pass this bill and help us.”
Fight intensifies as victims demand transparency from government agencies
The discharge petition needs 218 signatures to force a floor vote. As of Wednesday morning, 134 lawmakers had signed onto the Massie-Khanna petition, including 130 Democrats and four Republicans. The Republicans who have signed include Massie, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.
Epstein Survivor – Juliette Bryant : I was kidnapped by Epstein
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Trump promised the list
WTF is it!!!
How many more victims must die!!
I will never be silenced!!
"RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES"
Praying for President Trump to release the Epstein Files pic.twitter.com/REGhLdZyQsSweta
Edwards emphasized the scope of documents that should be released, stating that “the documents in the possession of the CIA should be made available. Those in the possession of the FBI going back decades should be made available.” He argued that the evidence his legal team gathered proves that financial institutions knowingly supported Epstein’s trafficking network, but much of it remains sealed behind protective orders and confidentiality agreements.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders oppose the discharge petition, arguing that the House Oversight Committee is already investigating the matter. Johnson added a symbolic vote to this week’s House calendar directing the committee to continue its ongoing investigation, which Massie criticized as providing “political cover” for members who won’t support the transparency bill. Meanwhile, Trump has dismissed calls for releasing Epstein files as a “Democrat hoax,” creating tension with some of his own supporters who have long demanded the documents’ release. The case continues to draw attention as more Epstein-related content becomes available to the public seeking answers about the convicted sex offender’s network.
