Summer Lee (D-PA) scored a major legal and political victory this week after successfully forcing a House subcommittee vote to subpoena the Department of Justice for the full, unredacted release of the Jeffrey Epstein files—despite initial opposition from Republican lawmakers.
The House Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement passed Rep. Lee’s motion on a bipartisan 8–2 vote, requiring the Department of Justice to hand over all records related to Epstein, the disgraced financier accused of running an elite child sex trafficking operation before his death in 2019.
“Today we are one step closer to justice for victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and those of his accomplices,” said Rep. Lee in a statement released Tuesday. “We cannot claim to be protecting children while allowing powerful people connected to Epstein to hide in the shadows. They are not above the law.”
Lee, who serves as Ranking Member of the subcommittee, introduced the motion during a hearing focused on child welfare and the Trump administration’s immigration policies. She used the moment to highlight what she called a “dangerous contradiction” in Republican rhetoric—criticizing them for touting anti-trafficking efforts while allegedly shielding those connected to Epstein.
The subpoena compels the DOJ to turn over unredacted documents to the House Oversight Subcommittee, potentially exposing previously undisclosed names, communications, and other materials related to Epstein’s inner circle and operations. Legal experts say the move could finally provide long-demanded transparency and accountability regarding high-profile individuals who may have been connected to Epstein’s alleged crimes.
Republican opposition to Lee’s motion initially sought to block or water down the subpoena, but bipartisan pressure—including growing public interest and outcry over the years—helped push the measure across the finish line.
This legal push represents a broader campaign by Rep. Lee for justice reform, government accountability, and protection of vulnerable communities. Since taking office in 2023, Lee has secured over $2.4 billion in federal investments for Western Pennsylvania and helped over 3,000 constituents through casework ranging from Medicare and housing assistance to immigration and passport services.
The Department of Justice has not yet commented on when or how the requested files will be delivered. However, legal analysts expect the process to move forward quickly, given the binding nature of a congressional subpoena.
As Rep. Lee pointed out, “The American people deserve transparency, accountability, and the full truth—no matter how uncomfortable or politically inconvenient it may be.”
