Clay Higgins
U.S. Representative Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana) cast the sole dissenting vote against the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 18, 2025, citing due-process and witness-protection concerns.
Clayton Higgins is a U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 3rd district, first elected in 2016. He is a member of the Republican Party and serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security.
What Happened
November 18, 2025, House votes 427-1. The full House voted on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passing it with overwhelming bipartisan support. The vote was 427-1, with Higgins casting the sole dissenting vote.
Stated reasons. Higgins voted against the bill citing concerns over due process and potential harm to witnesses who might be named in the unredacted files. His stated position was that the release needed to account for protections for individuals who might face legal or personal risk as a result of public disclosure.
Context. While most Republicans, including Mace, Massie, Boebert, and Greene, supported the release, Higgins was the only House member to vote no, making his vote a notable outlier on an otherwise nearly unanimous measure.
Sources
- Congress.gov, H.R. 4405: Epstein Files Transparency Act, Roll Call Vote 427-1 (November 18, 2025)
- NPR, Epstein Files Bill House Vote (November 18, 2025)
- House Clerk, Final Vote Results (November 18, 2025)