Who's the lone Republican to vote no on releasing the Epstein files?
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Rep. Clay Higgins, (R-La.) in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
Only one Republican in Congress, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.,) voted against a bill Tuesday to release files about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His case: "I have been a principled 'NO' on this bill from the beginning."
Why it matters: Besides Higgins, the entire House GOP caucus joined President Trump in backing the petition to compel the Justice Department to release all its files on Epstein. The Senate unanimously passed the bill Tuesday evening.
- The president has said he'll sign it, although he has full authority to release all of the files whenever he pleases.
- But the bill's language gives the Justice Department much room for discretion on how to handle the files.
What they're saying: "What was wrong with the bill three months ago is still wrong today. It abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure in America," Higgins said in a lengthy X post Tuesday afternoon.
- "As written, this bill reveals and injures thousands of innocent people —witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members, etc," he wrote.
- "If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files, released to a rabid media, will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt."
Zoom in: Higgins emphasized that a probe on Epstein by the Oversight Committee, which he sits on, would produce more documents and satisfy remaining questions.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) made similar arguments, although he ultimately backed the bill, as Axios' Kate Santaliz first reported.
Between the lines: The bill includes language that would maintain Epstein survivors' privacy, and many have championed and supported it for months.
- Republicans have a political incentive to dispense with the issue as quickly as possible.
Here's what you need to know about Rep. Higgins:
What's his background?
Higgins represents Louisiana's Third District, which includes the parish of Lafayette. The area is a hub for the petrochemical industry, and has a thriving seafood and agricultural community.
- Higgins is an Army veteran and has worked in law enforcement, according to his website.
- He's also a member on the Armed Services Committees and the Chairman of the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee.
Where does he stand politically?
The Louisianan is a member of the small but mighty House Freedom Caucus, whose hardline conservative beliefs have derailed moderate Republicans' plans in several high-profile fights.
- Higgins' congressional website identifies him as a "champion for smaller government, lower taxes, secure borders, and individual freedoms."
Go deeper: Trump says he would sign law to release Epstein documents
