Rep. Summer Lee Statement on Vote to Release Epstein Files

DOJ Still Legally Compelled to Release Files after Rep. Lee Forced Motion to Subpoena in July

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 18, 2025 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) released the following statement in response to the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in the House of Representatives:

 “Today’s passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act puts every Representative on record and brings us one step further to providing justice and transparency for the survivors and the American people. It is a testament to the power of the people who pressured their government to take action. 

“Let’s not forget: The Department of Justice is already compelled to release the Epstein files to the Oversight Committee because of my motion to subpoena, and they have slow-walked their release for months. Trump also has the power to compel the DOJ to release the files immediately and has failed to do so.

“Now, the Senate must take up this bill and it must be signed into law. No matter how wealthy or well-connected, every person who is complicit, enabled, or abused women and girls will be brought to justice.” 

Congresswoman Lee has continued to push for truth and transparency around the Epstein files, as demanded by Epstein’s victims and the American people. The motion to subpoena the Epstein files was initially introduced by Rep. Summer Lee during a House Oversight subcommittee hearing in July. It passed with an 8-2 vote, with three Republicans joining Oversight Democrats.

Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.