Epstein survivors issue plea to Congress to release files ahead of floor vote
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Some of the survivors and their childhood photos featured in the national PSA. Screen grab: World Without Exploitation.
A group of Jeffrey Epstein survivors released an emotional video featuring pictures of their younger selves in a bid to convince Congress to release all of the files related to the convicted sex offender.
Why it matters: The video comes as the House tees up a vote to release the files, which have become a pounding headache for President Trump, whose long-time opposition to their release has become a political liability.
- By using pictures of themselves as children — and identifying themselves as 14, 16 and 17 years old — the video highlights just how young the survivors were when Epstein first started preying on them.
What they're saying: "There are about 1000 of us. It's time to bring the secrets out of the shadows. It's time to shine a light into the Darkness," the survivors said in a one-minute video released Sunday.
- Separately, some of the survivors signed an open letter to Congress last week encouraging the body to release all documents.
- They've been active on Capitol Hill all year trying to get lawmakers to pass a variety of bills to help prevent sex trafficking.
Catch up quick: The president encouraged House Republicans to release the files in a post on Sunday, saying "we have nothing to hide, and it's time to move on from this Democrat Hoax."
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) scheduled a Tuesday up-or-down vote to free the files, which reportedly could have seen a veto-proof majority of Republicans vote with Democrats even before the president weighed in.
- Rep. Lance Gooden, (R-Texas) said he predicts 100 percent of the chamber "will vote to release."
- "As long as Democrats and President Trump both are calling for the release, I can't imagine anyone not voting to release tomorrow," he said in an interview with the New York Times.
Yes, but: The president controls the Justice Department and could release all the documents at any given time.
- By going through Congress to release the files, Democrats say the process is being slow-walked.
- While the House will likely vote in favor of the release, the bill still needs to pass the Senate -- and Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has indicated he has no intention to put the bill on the floor for a vote, meaning the measure is unlikely to make it to Trump's desk to sign into law.
Go deeper: MTG, Massie defy Trump in push for Epstein transparency
