Pappas Joins Bipartisan Vote to Release the Epstein Files

November 18, 2025 Press Release Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement after voting for H.R. 185 , which directs the United States Department of Justice to make publicly available records related to Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell: “Today’s vote to release these files represents a significant step towards justice for countless victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, and it represents accountability for all those who played a role in their heinous crimes. This should have happened sooner, and it should not have taken a literal act of Congress for this level of transparency to occur. At the expense of justice for the victims, Congressional Republicans delayed this day to provide cover and protection for the wealthy and influential individuals who may be named in these documents. That is why I joined the bipartisan effort to force this vote and ensure that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law.” Background: Pappas was a cosponsor of H. Res. 581 , a resolution that provides for consideration of H.R. 185 and amends that bill to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make publicly available certain records related to Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. In September, Pappas signed Discharge Petition No. 9 , which forced today’s floor vote on releasing the Epstein Files.