In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the United States Congress has taken decisive action to compel the release of Justice Department files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House of Representatives passed the resolution with an overwhelming vote of 427-1, swiftly followed by approval from the Republican-majority Senate. The bill is now poised for President Donald Trump’s signature, which could occur as early as Wednesday. This move marks a significant shift in Trump’s stance, as he had previously opposed the release of these documents for months. The Epstein scandal has been a persistent source of political friction for Trump, with many of his supporters believing that his administration has obscured Epstein’s connections to influential figures and the circumstances surrounding his 2019 death, which was officially ruled a suicide. The pressure for transparency intensified when approximately two dozen survivors of Epstein’s alleged abuse joined lawmakers outside the Capitol to advocate for the release of the records. These women, holding photographs of their younger selves, shared their harrowing experiences and urged accountability. Following the vote, survivors and advocates applauded lawmakers from the public gallery, some visibly emotional. Despite his eventual support for the bill, Trump expressed frustration over the ongoing attention to the Epstein matter, lashing out at a reporter during a press briefing and denying any personal involvement with Epstein. The White House was reportedly surprised by the speed at which the measure passed through Congress, anticipating a lengthier deliberation in the Senate. The controversy has impacted Trump’s public approval, with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealing his lowest approval rating this year, particularly regarding his handling of the Epstein case. Only 20% of voters overall and 44% of Republicans expressed satisfaction with his approach to the matter.