WASHINGTON — U.S. House representatives voted 427-1 to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Tuesday.
The 28 votes by Florida lawmakers, including 20 Republicans and eight Democrats, were in support of the Justice Department’s release of the records related to the sex offender.
The bill heads to the U.S. Senate. Republican Rep. Clay Higgins, of Louisiana, was the only dissenting House vote. Higgins released a statement on X.
“This type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt,” Higgins wrote adding that if the Senate amends the bill to “properly address privacy of victims and other Americans, who are named but not criminally implicated, then I will vote for that bill when it comes back to the House.”
Here is the list of representatives from Florida by party:
REPUBLICANS
Rep. Carlos Gimenez: “I voted yes to release the Epstein files. The American people deserve full transparency and have a right to know the truth. It’s time to put this issue to rest once and for all so we can get back to governing and delivering real results for the American people,” Gimenez wrote on X.
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar: “Ahead of the House vote, I met with survivors of Epstein’s abuse, courageous women whose voices have been ignored for far too long. Their strength is a reminder of why transparency and accountability must come first. No more secrets. No more protection for the powerful,” Salazar wrote on X.
Rep. Mario Diaz Balart: “House GOP have led the charge under Chairman Rep. JamesComer‘s leadership, the GOP oversight has released over 65,000 pages of documents, subpoenaed key players, and demanded full disclosure from the DOJ – while protecting the victims. This bill, while flawed, continues to deliver on transparency and justice for victims, and today’s vote continues ongoing efforts to hold offenders accountable," Diaz Balart wrote on X.
Rep. Scott Franklin: “Transparency is essential, but victims must be protected at every step. Today’s vote moves us in the right direction on both,” Franklin wrote on X, adding a statement urging the Senate to strengthen provisions.
“Releasing these records must be done carefully to uphold due process,” Franklin wrote.
Rep. Greg Steube: “The American people deserve transparency and I hope this vote will be another step towards justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell,” Steube wrote on X.
Rep. Vern Buchanan: “House GOP voted to unseal the Epstein files because the American people deserve the truth. Today’s vote was about transparency, accountability and protecting victims,” Buchanan wrote on X and released a statement.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: “Some used the Epstein files to smear POTUS instead of bringing justice to the victims, which tbh is super gross. I look forward to the continued investigations into this with GOP oversight. They deserve justice,” Luna wrote on X.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis: “I fully support complete transparency regarding the Epstein files and unwavering justice for the victims. No individual, regardless of wealth, power, position, or political party, should ever be shielded from accountability,” Bilirakis wrote on X in a statement.
Rep. Mike Haridopolos: “Today, I voted in favor of releasing the Epstein files because the American people deserve full transparency and accountability. No exceptions, no special treatment,” Haridopolos wrote in a statement on X.
Rep. Randy Fine: “Transparency is being restored. Epstein Files are getting released. Moral of the story, don’t be a panican! Trust President Trump,” Fine wrote on X.
Rep. John Rutherford: “Sunlight is the best antiseptic. I believe these files must be released while also taking into account the importance of protecting innocent victims and guarding against innuendo,” Rutherford wrote in a statement on X.
Rep. Brian Mast
Rep. Byron Donalds
Rep. Laurel Lee
Rep. Daniel Webster
Rep. Cory Mills
Rep. Aaron Bean
Rep. Kat Cammack
Rep. Neal Dunn
Rep. Jimmy Patronis
DEMOCRATS
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Rep. Frederica Wilson
Rep. Jared Moskowitz
Rep. Lois Frankel
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Rep. Kathy Castor
Rep. Maxwell Frost
Rep. Darren Soto
This is a developing story.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
