Sky Roberts, left, brother of Virginia Giuffre, who was abused by Jeffrey Epstein, and his wife Amanda Roberts hold up a photo of Giuffre during a news conference ahead of the vote on releasing the Epstein files. Photo: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images via AFP
The US House is gearing up to consider a bipartisan bill to compel the Department of Justice to release all its case files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a news conference, Republicans Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene urged the House to advance the legislation as Epstein abuse survivors shared their stories. If the measure passes, it will still face an uncertain future in the Senate.
President Donald Trump, in a stark reversal, encouraged House Republicans to vote in favour and said he would sign a measure to release the Epstein files.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he planned to support releasing all of the Jeffrey Epstein files when it comes to the vote.
While Johnson's support of the bill comes after months of trying to delay or prevent the effort from coming to the floor, it marks an acknowledgment that the bill has overwhelming Republican support.
Johnson has called the effort a "moot point," given the House Oversight Committee has its own extensive investigation into Epstein underway, and he has raised concerns over whether the legislation as written properly protects victims.
Sky Roberts, brother of the late Epstein abuse victim Virginia Giuffre, urged lawmakers to vote "yes" on the discharge petition to release the Jeffrey Epstein case files.
Giuffre, one of the most prominent and outspoken survivors of Epstein's abuse, died by suicide earlier this year.
In emotional remarks remembering his sister, Roberts spoke on the "monumental impact" she had on this effort to bring justice.
"We demand justice, accountability, and support for survivors," Roberts said. He said justice starts by first acknowledging that what happened is true.
"Your vote carries that weight. My sister is not a political tool for you to use. These survivors are not political tools for you to use. These are real stories, real trauma. And it's time for you to stop just talking about it and act. Vote yes," Roberts said.
Several survivors held up photos of themselves at the age they met Epstein.
Jena-Lisa Jones, an abuse survivor, said she met Jeffrey Epstein when she was just 14-years-old.
"I was a child. I was in ninth grade. I was hopeful for life and what the future had held for me. He stole a lot from me … at 14. So just a little reminder there for everybody," Jones said, growing emotional during her remarks and holding up a photo of herself at age 14.
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