Live: Lawmakers, Epstein survivors call for release of all files

(NewsNation) — Dozens of victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein spoke on Capitol Hill Wednesday as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle demanded the Justice Department release all government files related to Epstein's case.

“Let’s stop calling it an Epstein client list … it’s Epstein’s sex buyer list," Teresa Helm, accuser of Epstein and his longtime associate and former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, said.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., alongside Epstein accusers, held a news conference Wednesday, calling for the full release of the files.

The House Oversight Committee on Tuesday released more than 33,000 pages of documents, including flight logs, court filings and emails. However, lawmakers from both parties have argued most of the information was already public.

Committee ranking member Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said Democrats found that "97% of the documents" had been previously available.

Massie has filed a petition for a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill he co-authored with Khanna.

The measure would compel the Department of Justice to release all Epstein-related records within 30 days. So far, 134 lawmakers — 130 Democrats and four Republicans — have signed on. GOP supporters include Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.; Nancy Mace, R-S.C.; and Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.

Massie introduced the bill in July, warning that if the House failed to consider it within seven legislative days, he'd move forward with a discharge petition.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has previously said the Trump administration reviewed Epstein-related evidence and concluded the disgraced financier died by suicide and did not leave behind a “client list.” Bondi suggested in February that list was on her desk, although she later clarified that she was referring to the overall case file.

Nonetheless, the DOJ's handling of the Epstein federal investigation has resulted in bipartisan criticism.

Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for helping him sexually exploit and abuse underage girls. Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in 2019. He was awaiting trial for allegedly orchestrating a child sex trafficking ring along with Maxwell.