{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases/repsykes-votes-to-give-survivors-justice-supports-release-of-epstein-files", "Rep. Sykes Votes to Give Survivors Justice, Supports Release of Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Emilia Strong Sykes", "S001223", "sykes.house.gov", "sykes", "https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted today in support of the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, a resolution that will release government records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. She is a cosponsor of the bill and signed the discharge petition that brought it to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Sykes says this vote is about standing with survivors, holding powerful interests accountable, and making sure survivors\u2019 voices are finally heard.\n\n\u201cI voted yes today because survivors deserve the truth and to know that their voices matter,\u201d said Rep. Sykes. \u201cThis vote is a step toward accountability, and I will keep working to make sure these records are fully and responsibly released. Powerful men have long used their connections to avoid accountability. This is the beginning of the end of these harmful tactics.\u201d\n\nAbout the Resolution\n\nThe bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act directs the Attorney General to release government records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. These records include flight logs, financial ties, civil settlements, plea deals, and Department of Justice communications about investigations and charging decisions. The resolution protects sensitive information such as abuse survivors\u2019 identities and ongoing investigations, but ensures records cannot be withheld for embarrassment, reputational harm, or political reasons.\n\nRep. Sykes has long supported efforts to make these records public. She also voted against previous resolutions that were non-binding and did not guarantee full disclosure.\n\nThe discharge petition she signed allowed the U.S. House of Representatives to bypass leadership and bring the vote to the floor, ensuring that transparency and accountability could move forward without delay.\n\nLooking Ahead\n\nWith today\u2019s vote, Rep. Sykes will continue working with her colleagues, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and relevant agencies to ensure the records are released responsibly. She is committed to protecting survivors\u2019 privacy while making sure the public has access to critical information. Rep. Sykes also calls on the Senate to act quickly so that these records can be fully released, and survivors can see justice done.\n\nRep. Sykes will continue fighting for transparency and justice so that survivors\u2019 voices are heard and those involved are held accountable.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://sykes.house.gov/media/press-releases/repsykes-votes-to-give-survivors-justice-supports-release-of-epstein-files"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.8888721242547035, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}