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

"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."

The president signaled he will sign the bill, though he already has authority to release the files at will. The bill's text grants the Justice Department significant discretion over how to handle released materials. Rep. Higgins criticized the measure, saying it abandons centuries of criminal justice procedure and would reveal and injure thousands of innocent people — including witnesses, alibi providers, and family members — if exposed to intensive media coverage. Higgins argued that an Oversight Committee probe would yield more documents and answers. The bill includes provisions to protect Epstein survivors' privacy and has drawn both support and urgency from Republican lawmakers. Higgins represents Louisiana's Third District, is an Army veteran with law enforcement experience, serves on Armed Services committees, chairs the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee, and is a member of the House Freedom Caucus.

Read at Axios