Epstein files: Who is Clay Higgins, US congressman who voted no on release?

"The House approved the measure by an overwhelming margin of 427, including 216 Republicans, with only one dissent vote. Democrats and Republicans alike anticipated a clean, unanimous vote on Tuesday to force the release of Jeffrey Epstein's case files. But one member did not join the consensus: Republican Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana. His lone dissent highlighted his history of staking out positions on the extreme edge of the Republican Party."

"The bill then moved to the Senate, which unanimously approved it, clearing the way for it to be sent for President Donald Trump's signature. Here is what we know: Higgins has represented Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District since 2017. He is known as one of the most far-right members of the House and often takes positions that fall outside the Republican mainstream. He is also a strong Trump supporter. Higgins has drawn national attention for years, often because of controversy."

"Before he entered Congress, he worked in law enforcement, where he faced several misconduct complaints. He later became well-known online for his dramatic, tough-talking Crime Stoppers videos, which went viral and helped launch his political career. His outspoken style has continued in Washington. In 2020, he posted a message on Facebook threatening the use of force against armed protesters, alongside a photo of Black demonstrators carrying long guns. If we recognise threat you won't walk away, he wrote. Facebook later removed the post."

The House approved a measure 427-1 to force the release of Jeffrey Epstein's case files, and the Senate unanimously cleared the bill for the president's signature. Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana cast the sole dissenting vote. Higgins has represented Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District since 2017 and is known as one of the most far-right members of the House and a strong Trump supporter. Higgins previously worked in law enforcement and faced misconduct complaints, gained attention from viral Crime Stoppers videos, posted a removed Facebook message threatening force against armed protesters, questioned COVID origins, and promoted claims about 'ghost buses' around January 6.

Read at www.aljazeera.com