‘We all deserve answers’: Illinois politicians vote for release of Epstein files

PEORIA — All 17 U.S. representatives from Illinois voted to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Tuesday in a bipartisan move on one of the country’s most controversial topics.

In total, 216 Republicans and 211 Democrats voted yes on the measure which would ask the Justice Department to release all of its investigative material on disgraced billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein whose alleged ties to the rich and powerful, including President Donald Trump, have been a hotly debated topic.

Republican Clay Higgins of Louisiana was the only member of the House to vote no. Three Democrats and two Republicans did not vote on the measure.

California Democrat Ro Khanna brought the resolution to the House.

The bill will now go to the Republican-led Senate where Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said he would have the body take the bill up "immediately."

Republican Senate leader John Thune from South Dakota said he would have the Senate try to pass the Epstein bill quickly and have it sent to Trump’s desk.

How did Illinois Representatives vote on Epstein files?

All 14 Illinois Democrats in the U.S. House and all three Republicans, including Peoria’s Darin LaHood, voted to compel the Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, to release its investigative materials on Epstein.

U.S. Rep Eric Sorensen, IL-17, a Democrat who represents Peoria and Rockford, said in a statement Tuesday:

“The truth belongs to the American people. For too long, this case has been defined by secrecy, speculation, and a lack of transparency. It’s time to release the files,” Sorensen said. "We all deserve answers, and not cover-ups. Releasing the Epstein files is a necessary step toward making sure that no one is above the law, and every victim receives the justice they deserve.”

LaHood said on Tuesday he voted to "provide full transparency to the American people."

"I will continue to support the Oversight Committee’s ongoing effort to release any remaining documents from the Epstein estate to ensure all facts surrounding this case are made public," LaHood said in a statement. "As investigations continue, we must remain focused on delivering justice for the victims. Anyone who participated in these crimes or aided Epstein must be held fully accountable and be criminally charged under the full extent of the law."

Democrat Nikki Budzinski, IL-13, said in a statement Tuesday:

"I just voted to require the Trump administration to release the full Epstein Files," Budzinski said. "We must get justice for survivors and get the truth for the American people."

Illinois Democrat Rep. Robin Kelly, IL-2, said in a statement Tuesday:

“Today, I voted for the victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein who deserve justice and for the American people who deserve the truth. After years of peddling conspiracy theories and hoaxes about the Epstein Files, President Trump buckled under bipartisan pressure and now must release the Epstein Files. He cannot hide or try to cover up the truth anymore. The Epstein Files will be brought to the light,” Kelly said.

Democrat Bill Foster, IL-11, said in a statement he found it "troubling" that the effort to release the files had met resistance from Trump and Republicans.

"Despite campaigning on releasing all the Epstein files, the Trump administration ignored a Congressional subpoena to do so, pressured members of Congress to withdraw their support for the files’ release, and mocked victims of human trafficking as perpetuating a ‘hoax,’" Foster said. "They know this is not a hoax. Hopefully, if Senate leadership follows suit, we can come one step closer to justice."

More: ‘I know nothing about that.’ Trump responds to Epstein email saying ‘he knew about the girls’