Who's the sole Republican to vote against releasing Epstein files?

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

Comments

World news

Grizzly bear kills one and injures 11 in attack on schoolchildren in Canada

Evening Standard

<a href="https://www.skysports.com/cricket/live-blog/12040/13473198/the-ashes-live-australia-vs-england-first-test-text-updates-and-latest-score-from-2025-26-series-opener-in-perth" target="_blank">The Ashes live: England struggle in second innings with seven wickets down</a>

about 6 hours ago

Benidorm tourist left scrubbing for days after huge mistake in bid to impress as Hulk

Mirror

Vanity Fair reportedly ‘looking at all the facts’ on Olivia Nuzzi following claims made in fiery article by her former fiancé

about 8 hours ago

Anyone expecting a showdown when Trump met Mamdani got a pretty big surprise

Skynews

Comments

World news

Grizzly bear kills one and injures 11 in attack on schoolchildren in Canada

How Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine has been entirely dictated by Putin

Radiohead’s alt-rock sounds as fresh as ever, even after 40 years

England humiliated by Australia in two-day Ashes defeat

Elderly man dies in attack at Post Office cash machine as murder probe launched

Christmas turkey shortage fears as UK farms hit by 'super strain' bird flu

Agony of Cheryl Cole's former aide who died in horror 120mph storm

House of horrors where 'sex suicide pact Brit went to die' - 'frantic texts, beatings and video’

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says ‘most difficult moment in history’ as Trump sets peace deal deadline

Ukraine loses land, no Nato and Russia back in the G8: What is in Trump’s 28-point plan to end the war?

I can’t afford to ski, but a Swiss-style chalet in Yorkshire was perfect

Seven helpful things to say to someone who is grieving

We were hit with a £148k inheritance tax bill when mum died at 97 – it’s disgusting

A big week for UK

Trump’s Ukraine deal is the only option – thanks to Europe

Monty Panesar: I tried to rattle Steve Smith – it worked

How to care for evergreen winter shrubs, according to an RHS expert

Judge who wore Elvis wig in court has left the building

Families of Yemeni aid workers detained by Houthi rebels despair for their fate

Frustrations grow in Russia over cellphone internet outages that disrupt daily life

Africa's first G20 summit opens with an ambitious agenda and tries to move on from Trump's boycott

'Cruelest death in history' where man's flesh was torn off and EATEN by prisoners

'I survived the Jim Jones mass suicide and I know why so many made appalling decision'

Teacher avoids £1m payout as she was 'unaware sexual abuse harmed students'

Crew evacuated safely after explosion ignites fire on ship at Los Angeles port

I lied about my £23k salary to fit in with my friends – was I wrong to do so?

‘The worst thing is to win big’ – Why Starmer can’t control his ‘feral’ MPs

At 90, I still cycle twice a week and lift weights – and you can too

I want to ditch Britain for Europe – new EU border rules are the last straw after Brexit

Bryan Cranston is magnificent in All My Sons

Five easy ways to change the way you think – and live happier in the process

The astonishing claim about why Chinese Embassy ‘spy base’ is being approved

How much you’re really saving with a supermarket loyalty card

I’ve been on dozens of solo holidays – here are seven of the best

Hitler, video games and Jaws: How extremists are selling racist T-shirts directly to you

Devastation left by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica like a 'world war', says Olympic medallist

<a href="https://www.skysports.com/cricket/live-blog/12040/13473198/the-ashes-live-australia-vs-england-first-test-text-updates-and-latest-score-from-2025-26-series-opener-in-perth" target="_blank">The Ashes live: England struggle in second innings with seven wickets down</a>

Benidorm tourist left scrubbing for days after huge mistake in bid to impress as Hulk

Ukraine allies to hold talks at G20 on White House peace plan

What Is Trump’s 28-Point Plan to End Russia’s War in Ukraine?

Russian Exiles See Europe Visa Rule as Blow Against Them, Not Putin

Winnipeg Jets fall to Hurricanes 4-3 in Ehlers’ return to Winnipeg

Sinking McBarge in Fraser River blocking B.C. company’s chance to expand

Raptors advance to NBA Cup’s quarterfinals

Scarborough residents baffled by basketball net crackdown

Raptors advance to knockout round of NBA Cup

Fox News station runs ads for handguns featuring Donald Trump’s likeness

Read Marjorie Taylor Greene’s full four-page statement resigning from Congress: ‘I refuse to be a battered wife’

Vanity Fair reportedly ‘looking at all the facts’ on Olivia Nuzzi following claims made in fiery article by her former fiancé

Anyone expecting a showdown when Trump met Mamdani got a pretty big surprise

The Christian converts the US is deporting back to Iran

Tracking build-up of US military planes and warships near Venezuela

India's blind women cricketers chase history at first T20 World Cup

Our babies were taken after 'biased' parenting test - now we're fighting to get them back

Wolves knock off London Knights on a Sudbury Friday night

Toronto officer charged with sexual assault, threats after alleged decade-long misconduct

MTG announces she’s resigning from Congress after nasty public breakup with Trump

Senator demands answers on Northwest fuel pipeline shutdown that could affect Thanksgiving travel

Megachurch with more than 1.4 million YouTube followers fires pastor accused of child abuse

Supreme Court blocks ruling on Texas congressional map deemed likely racially based