A push for transparency surrounding the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is gaining momentum in Washington. Long Island GOP Rep. Nick LaLota announced he will vote in favor of a bill compelling the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release Epstein’s investigative files. LaLota clarified that his support does not represent a reversal; his initial reluctance stemmed from concerns the hastily written bill could inadvertently expose victims' names or jeopardize ongoing investigations.

LaLota emphasized his long-standing commitment to transparency and the pursuit of more details. He hopes the Senate will amend the measure to include additional safeguards before its vote. Long Island Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino has not yet confirmed his stance, citing similar concerns.

This legislative action occurs amid pressure on House Republicans, many of whom had previously resisted supporting the vote. President Donald Trump recently called on Republicans to approve the bill via Truth Social, asserting, “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide,” framing it as a way to “move on from this Democratic Hoax.” LaLota’s office confirmed his “yes” vote prior to Trump’s public statement, emphasizing his commitment to constituents as a father outraged by Epstein’s crimes.

The bipartisan discharge petition, led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), successfully gathered 218 House signatures, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to schedule the vote. If enacted, the bill would require the DOJ to release its complete files on Epstein within 30 days.

The House Oversight Committee’s release of documents has already created repercussions for public figures, most notably Harvard economist Larry Summers. Following the disclosure of email exchanges with Epstein, Summers announced he will step back from public life, citing deep regret over his communications with Epstein, who referred to himself as Summers’ “wing man.” Summers will continue teaching but disengage from public commitments as he seeks to rebuild trust.

Summers also resigned from his role as a “distinguished senior fellow” at the Center for American Progress. Lawmakers and institutions have urged distancing from him. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized Summers’ judgment, calling it “monumentally bad,” while an anonymous senior Trump administration official expressed shock that Summers remained associated with Harvard, Bloomberg News, and OpenAI.

The released emails, spanning 2013 to 2019, reveal Summers seeking Epstein’s advice on personal and professional matters, reigniting debates over his past controversies, including his 2006 resignation as Harvard president over sexist remarks. In one 2017 email, Summers discussed perceived double standards in elite behavior regarding women, and in 2018, he sought Epstein’s guidance on responding to a romantic inquiry.

Summers has reiterated his regret publicly, stating to the Harvard Crimson that his association with Epstein “was a major error of judgment.” The release has also sparked outrage among Harvard faculty, with statistics professor Joseph K. Blitzstein and others questioning Summers’ judgment and the university’s prior oversight.