[0:00]Let's listen in. >> When it comes out, this country is really going to have a moral reckoning. How did we allow this to happen? There
[0:09]should be no buildings named after people in this Epstein class. There should be no scholarships named after them. They shouldn't be enjoying the
[0:18]perks of being affiliated with corporations or universities or writing opeds or being lionized. And many of the survivors will tell you some of these
[0:28]people still are celebrated in our society. That's disgusting. There needs to be accountability. I want to recognize first and foremost
[0:40]the survivors. They are the ones who made today possible. Many of you had uh forgotten about this issue and frankly for decades we have not done enough
[0:50]about this issue and it's only because of their advocacy them coming here to the capital. They showed up here uh time and again and on September 3rd that the
[1:00]country started to pay attention and I also want to thank the courage of two of my colleagues in particular. Both of them have suffered as you know
[1:10]extraordinary political consequences uh for what they did. One my colleague uh Congressman Thomas Massie this would not have been possible if he hadn't led the
[1:21]discharge petition that got 218 signatures uh and is going to force a vote in the House of Representatives. And this would not have certainly been
[1:32]possible if it were not for the courage of Marjorie Taylor Green. She signed the petition and I would keep texting Thomas, is she is she gonna drop off? Is she gonna drop off? Because there was so
[1:44]much pressure against us, so much attacks against her. But she uh stood with the survivors. For Thomas or me, this has never been political. This is
[1:53]not about questions of Trump or Biden. This is a question of doing the right thing for survivors. We're going to get a vote today. I expect an overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives.
[2:04]And I don't want the DC swamp playing any games. They need to pass this in the Senate. And they should not amend it. President Trump has said he would sign the FTEN Transparency Act. It's going to
[2:16]get overwhelming support in the House. It should go straight to the Senate and it should be signed. No amendments, no adding loopholes. Justice is long overdue. And I want to hand it over to
[2:27]my colleague, Representative Thomas Massie. I want to start by thanking the survivors. I mean, they're giving
[2:37]everybody hope in this country. There are survivors of other sex crimes in this country wondering if they should come forward. They're clouded with shame and concerned that law enforcement will
[2:49]do nothing. And these survivors have stepped forth taking that same risk, worried that they will be defamed themselves. They have been defamed for stepping forward. But we're going to get
[3:01]justice for them. That's going to happen today in the people's house. The founders set up our government with three branches and and two branches of Congress. And I don't think it's any
[3:11]coincidence that this fight is being started and it's being won in the House of Representatives. I have people, other survivors of other sex crimes who come
[3:21]to me and say, "Thank you. You give me hope. You give us hope. There is hope here. We fought the president, the attorney general, the FBI director, the
[3:33]speaker of the house, and the vice president to get this win. [applause] But they never they're on our side today, though.
[3:42]So, let's give them some credit as well. U they they are finally on the side of justice. And as Rose said, don't muck it up in the Senate. Don't get too cute.
[3:53]We're all paying attention. If you want to add some additional protections for these survivors, go for it. But if you do anything that prevents any disclosure, you are not for the people
[4:04]and you are not part of this effort. Do not muck it up in the Senate. So, um, with that, I just want to say I am hopeful, too. I didn't know that we
[4:15]would succeed when Row and I started this effort. Most discharge petitions never make it, uh, maybe only 4%. So, we had long odds, but we had some brave
[4:25]women on the Republican side. My colleague Marjorie Taylor Green is one of them who's here with us today. That you cannot even imagine the consequences
[4:35]that they have suffered. My colleague Lauren Boowbert and my colleague Nancy Mace, they stood so strong. They put their names on a document in here and then they were pressured in ways that
[4:47]you cannot even imagine. and they stood strong and that's why we're here today and they didn't take us seriously um over at the executive branch or in the
[4:57]Senate because they always thought they could flip one of these women. They could convince them or control them or intimidate them into taking their names off of this petition, but they did not
[5:07]succeed. This is a victory for those women and women all over the country today. And I'm just glad to be a part of it. With that, I want to introduce my colleague MARJORIE TAYLOR GREEN.
[5:18]>> [cheering] >> THANK YOU, THOMAS. THANK YOU, RO. I woke up this morning and I turned to my weather app to check the temperature and
[5:29]it was 32 degrees and my first thought was hell has froze over. [laughter] I want to speak
[5:41]goodness and love and hope into the women standing behind me and all of the other survivors whose names you don't even know but
[5:52]stand with these women. They are survivors and they are strong and they are courageous and they are
[6:01]daughters of God. They are not victims. These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight. And they did it by banding
[6:12]together and never giving up. And that's what we did by fighting so hard against the most powerful people in the world,
[6:22]even the president of the United States, in order to make this vote happen today. I was called a traitor by a man that I
[6:32]fought for five, no actually six years for. And I gave him my loyalty for free. I won my first election without his endorsement, beating eight men in a
[6:44]primary. And I've never owed him anything, but I fought for him for the policies and for America first. and he
[6:54]called me a traitor for standing with these women and refusing to take my name off the discharge petition. Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is a is
[7:05]an American that serves foreign countries and themselves. A patriot is an American that serves the United States of America
[7:16]and Americans like the women standing behind me. And I want to tell you that this only became possible today because the
[7:25]American people whom we serve as representatives here in Congress demanded that this vote happen. And they
[7:35]put more pressure on every single elected politician in this city than has ever been put on them. And today you are
[7:44]going to see probably a unanimous vote in the House to release the Epstein files. But the fight, the real fight
[7:54]will happen after that. While I want to see every single name released so that these women don't have to live in fear and intimidation, which
[8:04]is something I've had a small taste of in just the past few days, just a small taste. They've been living it for years. But the real test will be, will the
[8:15]Department of Justice release the files or will it all remain tied up in investigations? Will the CIA release the files? Will a federal judge in New York,
[8:27]sorry, a judge in New York release the information? That's information that needs to come out. And will the list of names that these women privately hold and they hold
[8:38]it because of their fear in their heart of what would happen to them if they release it on their own? Will that list of names
[8:48]come out? That's the real test. So I want to thank Thomas Massie and Roana for your bravery and doing something doing something that is much
[8:59]needed in America. crossing the political aisle that has become bigger than the Grand Canyon in America. But
[9:08]these men cross that aisle on behalf of these women and that is more of what is needed today
[9:17]in America than ever in our history. So, thank you so much. Um, who's next? Ro, I'll let you introduce. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
[9:28]>> Thank you. >> Thank you. uh Marre, Representative uh Green for your your courage and your your words. Uh before I introduce our
[9:38]survivors, I just want to say that they will make their statements and then you can ask questions of Representative Massie, myself, or Representative Green.
[9:48]Uh but we do not want uh people asking questions and cross-examining the survivors. They're here to tell their stories and they should be heard by the
[9:58]American people with respect. Of course, Congressman Massie, myself, and Congresswoman Green would be happy to answer questions after that. With that, let me uh introduce uh the uh survivor
[10:09]who's helped uh organize a lot of this and will be introducing telling her own story and introducing uh uh the other survivors. Haley Robson, thank you for
[10:21]your courage and leadership. >> Absolutely. Thank you all. Oh, good morning. It's a little chilly coming from Florida. Not used to it.
[10:32]>> I want everybody to take a look. I know everybody sees us today as grown adults, but we are fighting for the children that were abandoned and left behind in the reckoning.
[10:43]This is who you're fighting for. This is who Congress is fighting for. This is who the House of Representatives are fighting for. and hopefully the Senate will fight for us too. I want to kick
[10:55]this off right and I want to address Marjorie Taylor Green, Thomas Massie, and Roana. I want to express my gratitude for all three of you. And I know Raana, we spoke earlier. This isn't an incredible thing that I'm watching as
[11:07]a Republican and this is nonpolitical, but for you to go against your own party and to be ostracized, there's no place for political violence. There's no place
[11:17]for intimidation. And I can say firsthand stepping out against Epstein and his crimes against children, we have all experienced that ourselves. So for you to knowingly put yourselves at risk
[11:28]and put your career at risk is unbelievable to watch and we are so grateful. I also want to make a proposition for Marjorie Taylor Green because you've been an advocate for this. If you decide to read those names
[11:40]on the House floor for immunity, I will be more than happy. No security needed. I will stand beside you. I will hold your hand. I will hold your coat in solidarity with you. And on top of that,
[11:51]I did talk to Prial uh Jop Paulal who said she would be more than happy to read those names too on the floor with all of us. It's time that we polit we put the political agendas and party
[12:01]affil uh affiliations to the side. This is a human issue. This is about children. There is no place in society for exploitation, sexual crimes, or
[12:11]exploitation of women in society. There's no room for it, guys. We're not having it. And to the president of the United States of America who is not here today,
[12:23]I want to send a clear message to you. While I do understand that your position has changed on the Epstein files and I'm grateful that you have pledged to sign this bill, I can't help to be skeptical
[12:34]of what the agenda is. So, with that being said, I want to relay this message to you.
[12:43]I am traumatized. I am not stupid. I am traumatized. I am not stupid. You have put us through so much stress. The
[12:52]lockdowns, the halt of these of of these procedures that were supposed to have happened 50 days ago, the Adalita Grahalva who waited to get sworn in and
[13:03]then get upset when your own party goes against you because what is being done is wrong. It's not right for your own self-s serving purposes. This is America.
[13:14]This is land of the free. Land of the free. In 1863, we have a woman on top of the Capitol building represent freedom. I do not feel free today. I don't know
[13:24]if the women behind me feel free today. So, I am begging every member of Congress, every representative to step up and choose the chaos. Choose the
[13:36]survivors. Choose the children. Protect the children. all children. You protect all of us equally.
[13:47]Thank you very much for your time. Following that, Lisa Phillips will be the next survivor. >> Good morning. My name is Lisa Phillips.
[14:06]It's an honor to stand here again for something America is finally united on. the immediate release of the entire Epstein files
[14:15]in a divided nation. This is one demand we all share. Last time I stood here, I made a promise to all survivors watching. If those in
[14:25]power refused to release the truth, we would start uncovering it ourselves. For anyone who doubted that, that moment has already arrived.
[14:36]Since that day, more survivors across the country and around the world have reached out, text, emails, DMs, firsthand accounts, and evidence.
[14:48]Many are women who were abused or trafficked through the international modeling pipeline Epstein built, promising visas, apartments, opportunities, futures, while exploiting
[14:59]their dreams for abuse. Most are still terrified to speak publicly because the men involved are powerful. They're connected and as we
[15:08]know, they're protected. For too long, survivors have watched others speak for us. And while we are grateful for our allies in Congress on
[15:19]both sides, we've realized something. This fight belongs to us. We lived it and we know the truth. and we will not wait quietly for
[15:30]institutions to decide when we're allowed to speak. The survivors now coming forward have entrusted us with their stories. We are sharing that information with the proper authorities and when it can safely be made public,
[15:42]it will be. So today we are launching something historic. the first national survivor-led
[15:51]political movement in America. Nonpartisan, laser focused on exposing the systems, the loopholes, power structures, and
[16:03]silencing mechanisms that have protected predators for far too long. We are stepping directly into the halls of power,
[16:14]into the political arena. We will help rewrite laws that failed us and build protections for our nation's children together targeted by sexual
[16:25]exploitation. Together today, survivors begin our own fight,
[16:33]the survivor revolution, and we intend to change this nation for the better. If you're a survivor who wants to join
[16:45]us, please reach out. And to anyone who benefits from the current system, intentionally or not, remember this. Alone, yes, we are
[16:56]afraid, >> but together we are feared. >> Thank you. >> Good girl.
[17:08]>> Hello everybody. I am Jenna Lisa Jones and just as Haley I would just like to give a little reminder that this was me
[17:16]at 14 years old. I was a child. I was in ninth grade. I was
[17:26]hopeful for life and what it the future had held for me. He stole a lot from me uh by at 14. So just a little reminder
[17:34]there for everybody. Sorry. So, um [snorts]
[17:45]I just want to start out by saying thank you for all of you for being here today. I want to start by expressing my deepest gratitude to the members of Congress who have stood with us, the survivors, and
[17:57]demanding the transparency and justice. Your support is a signal that this institution can still serve the American people. This issue was never one that
[18:07]should have divided us the way it has. In fact, it should have united us. Sexual abuse is not a Republican issue. This it is not a or a Democratic issue.
[18:17]It is not a it is also not a hoax. We are here as American survivors of a man who used his wealth and power to hurt young girls and women.
[18:27]The world should see the files to know who Jeffrey Epstein was and how the system catered to him and failed us. Emotionally, this process has been distressing. First, the administration
[18:39]said it would release everything and applauded President Trump for that. Then, it fought to release nothing. Now that that that now that that checks and
[18:49]balances of our dem democ democracy have worked and the bill is getting passed to release the files. We are hearing the administration say they intend to investigate various Democrat Democrats
[19:01]who were friends with Epstein. I beg you, President Trump, please stop making this political. It is not about you, President Trump. You are our president. Please start acting like it. Show some
[19:13]class. Show some real leadership. Show that you actually care about the people other than yourself. I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been
[19:23]an national embarrassment. >> It is time to take the honest moral ground and support the release of these
[19:33]files. not to weaponize pieces of the files against random political enemies that did nothing wrong, but to understand who Epstein's friends were, who covered for him, what financial
[19:44]institutions allowed his trafficking to continue, who knew what he was doing, but was too much of a coward to do anything about it.
[19:55]Jeffrey Epstein and Glain Maxwell were able to recruit and abuse young girls and women, then the country will learn no
[20:05]the country will learn nothing and has horrible history will repeat itself if we do not do something about this. Thank you to the brave congressmen and women who have stood by us and recognize our
[20:16]side is the American side and we should all be proud once again to be Americans. I want to just extend my thank you so much to all three of you very very much.
[20:25]The first time we were here listening to uh people yell shame at you and when she was here in support of us really hit home and spoke some volumes and I just
[20:36]and very much appreci um your support and and we stand by you. Don't let any of them bully you. We're we're here for you.
[20:45]>> Thank you guys. Wow. Good morning everyone. Thank you all so much for coming together today
[20:56]and taking the time to listen to us. Your presence means the world and it shows commitment to understanding and supporting survivors and Americans. I stand before you today with a heavy
[21:08]heart. I originated from Brazil and I come I came to the United States when I was 8 years old. I was only 14 when I first encountered Jeffrey Epstein, and
[21:19]my daughter is now almost at that age. At 14, the only things she should be concerned with are going to school, practicing at her cheerleading competitions, and enjoying her time with
[21:30]her friends and family. She should not have to bear the burden of worrying about being manipulated or exploited. At this age, she is still a child, and no
[21:40]child should ever have to face such threats. I also want to address a trouble state a troubling statement made by a prominent figure on a major
[21:51]platform who suggested that a 14-year-old should not be considered victims of pedophilia. This is a dangerous and incorrect notion. When we talk about how children at 14 should
[22:02]still be treated as children, I ask you to look at the young people around you. Remember when you were that age? Do you think you should have been responsible for being groomed? put yourselves in our
[22:14]position when we were young. I'm here today not to just share my story, but to call on all of you to help make a difference. We need to support to push for the Transparency Act and release the
[22:26]Epstein files. Please reach out to your Congress members and senators and urge them to support this crucial legislation. The truth is something that
[22:35]we all deserve and it is vital for safety and protection of a future of generations. Think about all the young people in your life. Your daughters, your nieces, your
[22:46]friends. Let's stand together and ensure that they grow up in a world where they are safe and valued. I often wondered why did this happen to me? And then I
[22:58]realized God only gives you what you can handle. I'm here for a purpose and that purpose is to make a difference today.
[23:08]So, let's stand together to protect our children and our peace. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. Um, I want to say a few
[23:26]things before I begin. My speech may not be great. It was thrown together last minute as I only came here uh decided
[23:34]Friday when one of us who has spoken several times decided she couldn't come because of the
[23:43]threats. She was too scared. So I want to say when you threaten one of us, you're threatening all of us. >> Y >> we are together now and that's never
[23:55]going to change. This is me at 16 when I met Jeffrey Epstein. Now I'll start.
[24:10]It is an honor to stand here before the American people. However, I shouldn't have to stand here at all. I'm here because as a child, I was pulled into Jeffrey Epstein's world. a world built on exploitation and manipulation of
[24:22]innocents and the protection of powerful men and women who believed that they were untouchable. Today, we'd rather be preparing for the holidays. We'd rather be at home with
[24:32]our families baking with our children and decorating the Christmas tree as we try to move past this horrific moment that has impacted our entire adult lives.
[24:44]However, that's not possible because it's become something it should have never been. Political and sensationalized. The truth is simple. We were victimized
[24:53]as children and failed repeatedly by the very system that was supposed to protect us. That's why we stand here today to demand justice and
[25:03]accountability not just for Epstein and his crimes, but for every predator and every enabler who participates in or protects abusers.
[25:13]The Epstein case was gravely mishandled consistently and deliberately over many years. Epstein could have been stopped decades ago, but instead he was able to continue his abuse, even during his
[25:24]sweetheart deal. Yes, with his ankle monitor on and beyond. A deal that protected him and silenced us. While I was a child fighting to
[25:35]survive what happened to us, federal prosecutors were negotiating ways to shield powerful adults. And the failures didn't stop there. Our
[25:44]civil cases were met with hostile judges and delay tactics, intimidation, and PR campaigns designed to smear us in the public eye. We were treated as problems
[25:56]to be managed instead of victims to be protected. Today, something has changed.
[26:06]Individually, our voices were whispers. Together, they've become impossible to ignore. We are encouraged to see elected officials from both parties. Thank you.
[26:16]Come together and finally take action to release the files. I'll leave it there. Thank you.
[26:26]Good job. [applause] >> Good morning. >> My name is Wendy and I'm standing here
[26:36]today with a truth that still scares me to say out loud. I'm going to put this down because I can't hold both as you guys saw. But that was me when I was 14
[26:47]when I met Jeffrey Epstein. None of us here signed up for this political warfare. We never asked to be dragged into battles between people who
[26:57]never protected us in the first place. We are exhausted from surviving the trauma and then surviving the politics that swirl around it. When survivors
[27:07]travel to speak, to advocate, to stand for the truth, we do it with our own money, from our own pockets, carrying our own
[27:17]fear, shaking in our own bodies. There is no team. There is no paycheck. It's just us hoping our voices make a difference. And it puts a pit right in
[27:29]your stomach because you know you're standing on the right side of history. >> But standing on the right side of history is not a comfortable place to be. >> It never has been. And in a sick,
[27:39]heartbreaking way, it's an honor. An honor to show up. An honor to speak here. and an honor to stand in light where when the world tried to keep us in
[27:49]the dark and what keeps me standing is even with all this fear I have a 14-year-old daughter myself the same age I was and when I look at her I see the
[28:00]little girl I used to be the one that no one protected my greatest fear in this entire world is history repeating itself and I will do anything absolutely
[28:11]anything to make sure that she has to never be one of these girls standing in front of a crowd like this today in her life. So today, from the safest and
[28:23]bravest places inside myself, I am asking Congress, please pass the bill. Please release the records. Stop making survivors fight
[28:33]alone for the truth that should have protected us in this first place. To the representatives that support us,
[28:42]thank you. Thank you for standing beside survivors so we don't have to face this fear alone. Thank you for choosing what is right over what is easy. And every
[28:53]survivor who is scared right now, your fear is real. Your courage is real. And even though we're terrified, we keep showing up because someone has to tell
[29:04]the truth. Someone has to protect these children. We deserve safety then. We deserved it now. or we deserve it now and we are done being afraid so others
[29:16]can stay comfortable. So with that I want to say thank you guys for having us. Um, and I just hope that uh people
[29:26]can remember that as survivors um your our story never leaves us, but um the choice that you
[29:38]make to pass this bill, your you career is in front of you and that choice will follow you. Everybody will know. So, thank you.
[29:48]>> Good job. Well said. >> You're incredible. >> Hello everybody. >> My name is Danny Bensky. This was me at
[30:00]17 years old. >> Oh, coming from the dance world, I was
[30:11]recruited in 2004 after a systematic breaking down where Epstein leveraged my mother's brain tumor scans. Um, he threatened me to withhold care for her. He trapped me in a year-long cycle of
[30:23]abuse. The last time I was here in Washington, DC, I talked about being a part of this beautiful mosaic of women behind me. And they are exactly that. They are a
[30:32]beautiful mosaic of energy and passion and love and life. I am one story of a thousand. You think
[30:42]of that number, a thousand. I spoke of how big our hopes and dreams once were and I talked about how they were completely shattered at the hands
[30:52]of Gayen Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. Now I look at this amazing community behind me. [snorts] They are survivor sisters. We are together. We stand together in this and
[31:04]I realize that we are a representation of women across America. We come from different backgrounds. We have different religions. We are
[31:14]different races, different creeds, different ethnicities. We have different political affiliations. Some of us don't want to be political at all. And yet, we
[31:24]stand here together for this cause. We're united in the call for transparency, complete transparency to
[31:33]find justice. Justice for our younger selves. These pictures that you see, they're real people. I wish I could go back and give my former self a hug and
[31:44]say this matters and it's going to change and mean it. We are standing here for justice for the
[31:53]youth of tomorrow and justice for those who are no longer with us like the beautiful, brave Virginia. [snorts] We understand that the road is long, but
[32:06]I implore you to stay the course, please. living in an age where you can get news in 10-second clips on your phone. I know that this is a big task for us. Um, but it's a very personal one
[32:18]for survivors. It's a very personal one for us as a country. So, I'd like to ask you to try something right now. I'd like you I'd like everybody to close their eyes or soften their gaze just for a
[32:28]moment. And I want everybody to think of a child that is close to them between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. It could be your daughter. It could be your niece. It could be a friend's kids. It
[32:38]could be you at a former age. It could be your mother at a at that age. But really envision that for a second. 14 to 18 years old. Once you think of that person, I want
[32:49]you to think about what they feel like. What is their energy? What do they smell like? What sound do they make when they laugh? Really think about that child
[32:59]just for a moment. Now, I want you to picture a pair of giant looming wooden doors and an overbearing marble landing. Those are the doors to Jeffrey Epstein's house. Do
[33:10]you allow that child to enter or not? If the answer is yes, you would allow entrance. You stand with predators. If the answer is no, then congratulations. You're on the right side of justice.
[33:21]Now, you have homework. I I am calling for the American people. You have homework. Call your Congress Congressional leaders. Call your senators. Please support this
[33:32]bill. Let's get it all released. Thank you very much. >> Good morning. [clears throat]
[33:48]My name is Annie Farmer and this is a photo of me and my sister Maria Farmer around the time I was 16 and she was 25. That's how old we were when we were
[33:58]abused by Epstein and Maxwell. Survivor survivors have repeatedly stated that our pursuit of transparency and justice is a nonpartisan issue. But
[34:09]given the political noise surrounding this case, I just want to remind people of some of the facts. In 1996, when my sister Maria bravely blew the whistle on this group by
[34:20]reporting to the FBI what Epstein and Maxwell did to both of us, they hung up on the the phone on her and there was no follow-up of any kind. Bill Clinton was president.
[34:31]In 2006, the FBI came to us, finally interviewed us, and asked us both to be witnesses against Epstein. We were very anxious, but we agreed. And then we didn't hear back from them due to their
[34:43]infamous sweetheart deal. George W. Bush was president in 2015 when the DOJ was sent foyer requests for Maria's FBI files and they
[34:53]were denied as they have been many times. Barack Obama was president. In 2019, when Epstein died in prison due to either negligence or foul play,
[35:04]Donald Trump was president. In 2023, Maria's attorneys sent a letter on her behalf to the government, requesting an investigation into the repeated law enforcement failures in
[35:15]this case, similar to what was done in the case of Larry Nassar. They declined to do so. Consequently, my sister filed notice that she would be suing the government for failing to uphold its
[35:26]legal, ethical, and moral duties in this case. Joe Biden was president. This year, after campaigning on a pledge to finally release the files under
[35:36]Trump's second presidency, the DOJ announced they were closing the investigation into Epstein's co-conspirators and then transferred Gilen Maxwell into a prison camp >> where is well documented that she is
[35:48]receiving special treatment. >> This is not an issue of a few corrupt Democrats or a few corrupt Republicans. This is a case of institutional betrayal.
[36:00]>> Because these crimes were not properly investigated, so many more girls and women were harmed. My sister, because of her bravery, was repeatedly threatened
[36:09]and lived in fear with dire consequences for her health and her career. 30 years later, even as oceans of allegations and obvious truths have emerged, the government has still not
[36:20]chosen transparency. This is why we have all come together as one united voice to demand the release of all the Epstein files and to finally bring the truth out
[36:30]of the shadows. Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members
[36:55]of Congress and everyone gathered here today. I want to start by thanking the three of you. Thank you.
[37:05]Um it takes a lot of bravery to do what you're doing. We hear you. We see you. It means a lot for you to be here with us and I know my sister would be incredibly proud. This is the moment she
[37:16]was fighting for and the moment that all survivors are fighting for. So, thank you. >> [snorts] >> My name is Sky Roberts
[37:25]and I stand before you as the brother of Virginia Roberts Juay, [snorts] a warrior, a mother and a sister whose legacy will forever
[37:37]resonate in the hearts of those who understand the fight against injustice. [snorts] Today we find ourselves in a place of deep sorrow, shattered by the loss of our beloved
[37:48]sister. Yet, we are are honored and privileged to carry her voice forward [snorts] and continue her relentless fight alongside
[37:58]her fellow survivor sisters. [snorts] Virginia's story is one that should have been filled with promise, but instead it
[38:08]became a harrowing tale of exploitation and survival. At just [snorts] 16 years old, she took a job at Mara Largo, believing
[38:20]she had secured a dream summer position. But that dream quickly morphed into a nightmare when Gla Maxwell prayed upon her innocence.
[38:31]This isn't just a story of one girl. It's a story about the insidious nature of power and abuse. A dark chapter in our society that must be told.
[38:42]>> [snorts] >> Virginia was no stranger to trauma. In her memoir, Nobody's Girl, she shares the painful truth that she had already suffered abuse at the hands of her
[38:52]father and a family friend. But what happened next was unfathomable.
[39:03]Epstein and Maxwell didn't just abuse her. They trafficked her to a network of the rich and powerful. Princes, prime
[39:11]ministers, politicians, financiers, and lawyers. [snorts] These men committed unspeakable acts against her, against her will, and
[39:22]against the will of countless survivors who stand united with us today. >> [snorts] >> Virginia's strength was tested in many ways
[39:32]that most of us can hardly imagine. She was [snorts] manipulated, coerced, and threatened, forced into complicity and her own devastation.
[39:43]She [snorts] often spoke of psychological scars that ran deeper than the physical ones. From the start, she wrote, "They [snorts] manipulated me into
[39:54]participating in behaviors that ate away at me, eroding my ability to comprehend reality and preventing me from defending myself. The most destructive wound they
[40:04]inflicted was that of force complicity, a betrayal of self that was crafted by her abusers. >> [snorts] >> But I stand here today to declare that
[40:15]their tactics of fear and intimidation did not work. Virginia's spirit could not be broken. She became a beacon of hope,
[40:27]a warrior, fighting not just for herself, but for every survivor who suffered in silence. >> [snorts] >> She said, "I felt it was my duty to
[40:39]stand up to predators like Epstein and Maxwell. I would put my neck on the line to make sure my daughter never has to go
[40:47]through what I had to endure." [snorts] These survivors like Virginia have transformed into mothers and strong
[40:56]women fierce in the face of adversity. Many of them have daughters the same age they were when they faced their own abuse. They are determined to break the cycle,
[41:08]to shatter the silence that has kept so many in the shadows. [snorts] Virginia quoted in her memoir, "There I was, as the mother of three children, I
[41:19]felt it was my duty to stand up to predators like Epstein and Maxwell." [snorts] I said I mentioned to Ellie in particular,
[41:29]her daughter, I would put my neck on the line [snorts] to make sure she never has to go through what I had to go through. I
[41:40]said joining Edward's CV case [snorts] said I what I would want somebody to do for my daughter or sister and friend. In the end, I said I was
[41:51]just trying to do the right thing. That's what I felt like I'm doing. I said I'm making a small dent
[42:02]in this big world we live in. [snorts]
[42:10]Well, [snorts]
[42:19]you didn't just make a small dent. You made a monumental impact, [snorts]
[42:32]a resounding statement that echoed across the world. You built an unbreakable wall, a barrier that will protect future generations from the horrors of abuse.
[42:44]>> [snorts] >> As we gather here today, I urge each of you, members of Congress, advocates, [snorts] and all those who hear this message to join us in this fight. We demand
[42:55]justice, accountability, and support for survivors. And we keep getting asked this. What does justice mean, you ask? It starts with acknowledgement. That's the first
[43:07]step. Acknowledge [snorts] in the face of survivors that this happened and that this is true. >> [snorts] >> Your vote carries that weight.
[43:16]My sister is not a political tool for you to use. >> These survivors are not political tools for you to use. These [snorts] are real
[43:26]stories, real trauma, and it's time for you to stop just talking about it and act. >> Vote yes. >> Amen. Virginia's legacy is not just
[43:42]hers. It belongs to all of us who stand against injustice. Together, we will ensure that the voices of survivors are heard, that the truth prevails, and that the horrors of the past are never
[43:53]repeated. Thank you. Thank you for listening, and thank you for standing with us. Together, we will not let Virginia's fight be in vain. Together, we will not
[44:04]let the predators win. Together, we will be the change this world desperately needs. Yeah, >> thank you. >> It was so beautiful.
[44:23]>> This is me when I met Jeffrey Epstein in 1991. I always share the date when I talk about my story because people rarely
[44:34]rarely acknowledge how long this has actually been going on. And for too long, truth has been buried, survivors have been silenced, and
[44:46]powerful people have been protected. And today we stand in a moment that will decide whether our government still belongs to the American people
[44:57]or to those who pray on them. Because when mountains of evidence and decades of victim reports across five administrations still lead to sweetheart deals or no
[45:08]prosecution at all, this isn't just one case gone wrong. It's an institutional failure on a
[45:19]historic scale and every member of Congress and this administration must answer for that failure. Millions of sexual abuse survivors know the pain of speaking up and watching the
[45:31]institutions that are meant to protect them look away. We we're not alone in this. Epstein may be the headline, but the betrayal reaches every corner of our
[45:42]country. And if our justice system can collapse this completely for so
[45:51]long, then Congress cannot pretend that the system is working. Not for us and not for the generations that will live with the consequences of
[46:03]what they choose. Now, one long overdue step towards repairing this damage is the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
[46:14]Because without transparency, there's no accountability. Without accountability, there is no justice. And without justice, democracy dies.
[46:25]>> Yeah. >> So, representatives, you have a choice. To show millions of Americans whether you stand with us
[46:35]or with the powerful predators that are counting on your complicity. Thank you. >> Yeah. Good job. >> Good morning.
[46:55]This is me. This was me. My name is Charlene Roshard. And I stand
[47:04]before you today, not as a victim of rumor or conspiracy, but as a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse.
[47:16]Far too long, survivors like me have been dismissed, silenced, are told that
[47:23]our pain was exaggerated or fabricated. Let me be clear. This is not a hoax. >> Yes, it's not.
[47:35]>> What we endured was real and it has scarred lives across five
[47:43]presidential administrations. The truth has been buried in sealed files and hidden records for far too long.
[47:54]The Epstein Files Transparency Act is not just about survivors. It's about America itself.
[48:05]How can we keep America great if the principles the nation was founded on that power belongs to the people is not protected?
[48:16]No one, no matter how wealthy and well-connected, stands above the law. If we cannot face the truth, then we betray the very ideals that defines us as a
[48:28]country. By passing this act, Congress has the chance to prove that truth matters more than privilege. >> Yeah. >> That justice matters more than
[48:39]influence. And that America has the courage to confront even the most uncomfortable realities.
[48:50]This is not just about survivors. It's about every American who believes in accountability,
[48:57]fairness, and the promise of justice. I stand here today not only for myself, but for every survivor of Jeffrey
[49:08]Epstein's abuse who has carried this burden in silence and for every citizen who believes that justice delayed is
[49:19]justice denied. >> I want to thank Representatives Ro Connor and Thomas Massie for standing
[49:28]with us. Thank you. And I especially want to thank Representative Marjorie Taylor Green.
[49:40]Her unwavering support, her courage to stand with us and demand transparency gives us strength. Thank you.
[49:51]It shows that this fight for accountability is bigger than politics. It's about humanity, justice, and truth.
[50:02]This is about America's future. It's about whether we, the people, will be heard when we have the courage to stand for truth and justice.
[50:14]Our voices are real. Our pain is real. And our demand for justice will not be silenced.
[50:24]Thank you. Amen. >> Girl, hello. >> Good for you, girl. You did amazing. >> My name is Laura Bloom McGee. This is my
[50:42]first time speaking publicly about my abuse. As a one young woman in New York City, I was pursuing a modeling career and building a life of giving back
[50:51]through my philanthrop work. Instead, I was intentionally groomed and became part of an international model sex trafficking ring that led was led by Jeffrey Epstein. I was sexually and
[51:03]mentally abused by Jeffrey Epste. He used my dreams and vulnerabilities to silence me. Today, I am here to break that silence.
[51:13]Sex trafficking and sexual abuse are crimes against human beings, not political talking points. For too
[51:22]long, Epstein's abuse was an open secret with his network remained protected. Evil thrives in darkness. We must shine a light on every corner where it hides.
[51:33]Nothing should be off limits in the search for truth. Please vote that everything in the files be released. Let investigations proceed without
[51:43]obstruction. Demand oversight and deliver justice. The government must never side with predators. I come as one survivor, but I stand here
[51:54]for everyone who prayed for me, who believed in me, and who hoped for me. To my fellow survivors, your courage brought me here. We are more than victims. We are mothers, daughters,
[52:05]sisters, friends. This is not a hoax and we will not be erased. Shame on any elected official who obstructs truth and justice for the American people. Thank you.
[52:15]>> Amen. Hi girl. >> Beautiful. >> My name is Liz Stein.
[52:24]In 1994, I was a senior in college, just 21 years old. I had aspirations of attending law school after graduation
[52:35]and it looked like I had a bright future and had ahead of me. 1994 was also the year I met Gileain Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein.
[52:45]My involvement with them changed the trajectory of my entire life. The Epstein files are not about loyalty
[52:54]to any one political party. They're evidence of a crime. We stand here today, victims of the
[53:04]crime of sex trafficking. I'm here today speaking both for my 21-year-old self and for the countless
[53:13]number of people who have experienced sexual violence. When I am asked what I would tell my
[53:23]younger self if I could say something, I say that I would tell myself to tell someone. And if they don't listen, to tell
[53:33]someone else and to just keep telling until someone listens. And even if nobody listens to you, you should be
[53:43]proud of yourself because you stood in your uncomfortable truth when others could not. And that is true bravery.
[53:55]We stand here today as survivors, part of a sorority that none of us asked to join. We have told our stories over and
[54:05]over and over. Now, it's time to see who was listening. We ask that you vote to release the files, all of them, so the victims of
[54:17]this crime can finally see justice. Thank you. >> Amen. >> Yes, >> girl. Well, hello everyone and I want to first
[54:36]say thank you uh for your ongoing leadership. I know it must not uh be easy thing to do uh much like it's not
[54:46]easy for us to be doing this. So I guess we're in this together. So thank you so much. I I feel like our courage has, you know, we're reflecting, mirroring courage because that's what it takes to
[54:58]do this, right? So, this was me at uh 22 years old. I was not a child technically
[55:08]uh very young adult. I imagine most of you here can relate to the mindset and uh to be 22 years old.
[55:20]So today is a good day and I thank God for that. It's widely and undeniably polit uh
[55:31]clear that our current political climate is quite rigid
[55:37]and seemingly at war with one another. This sets it sets a stage.
[55:48]This sets a stage for voices, survivor voices to get spoken over and drowned out
[55:58]by the political darts whizzing by. Not today, though. [laughter] Today our truth and our power have
[56:11]steadily risen up. We are at the peak. Our voices prevail today.
[56:24]Our voices initiated the coming together of both political parties. That's pretty big. I think
[56:34]Republicans and Democrats, we all stand together today. We all stand together for justice,
[56:44]and we must continue to do so to protect the integrity of our country and our democracy. Truth and justice must prevail. The
[56:56]children today are those that will lead this nation one day. Think about that. What does that mean to each of you? If anyone doubts that this does not
[57:10]directly contribute to the fate of our country and democracy, I challenge you and I urge you to think
[57:20]again. Our voices are a fundamental pillar of future generations. today. That's what we stand here for.
[57:36]Accountability, action, and justice.
[57:43]Let's get this vote done today. Let's send it through the Senate and straight to President Trump's desk
[57:55]for signing. I'd like to be there that day that he signs. I'm sure all of us would like to be there.
[58:05][laughter] >> Today is a good day and let's keep moving forward. >> Thank you so much. >> I just want to give you a hug.
[58:16]>> Okay. >> Hey guys, we're actually pressed for time. So, we are not going to be taking questions going further. I bring back Roana. He's going to do closing ar
[58:28]closing conversation and comments. >> Well, thank you, Hilly. Teresa is right. It's pretty big what the survivors have
[58:36]accomplished today. And I just want to say how eloquent, strong, and admirable they were. Let's give them a round of
[58:47]applause for their courage. Thomas and Marjorie and I will take a few questions from people. >> Go ahead.
[58:59]>> Is basically right now calling on the Senate to make revisions to this bill because he says it doesn't protect the survivors, the victims that are standing behind you. Your response to that?
[59:10]>> That's been a red herring all along. Um the survivors have always been in favor of this legislation and there's a provision in there you can read if if he would just read it that protects them.
[59:22]Now if he wants to offer more protections in the Senate that that's fine with us but here's the problem now we have to vote on it again in the House and so as you heard justice delayed is
[59:32]justice denied. I it could be just another delay tactic but we want to >> Is that what you think that's the motivation? I think I think the speaker uh wants to save face. He's going to
[59:43]vote for a piece of legislation today that he's disparaged for four months and if however he needs to come on board, we want him on board. So, we appreciate
[59:53]that. >> Go ahead. Go ahead. I wonder what do you
[59:59]say today Andrews of a manly known as >> well you know there's becoming a reckoning in Britain that needs to
[1:00:10]happen in the United States a prince lost his title the ambassador to the United States lost his job we need to see those same kind of consequences here as my colleague Rose said there
[1:00:22]shouldn't be buildings named after these perpetrators of these heinous crimes there shouldn't be scholarships named named after them and there needs to be accounting. We've seen tens of thousands
[1:00:33]of pages released by the oversight committee. What we've not seen is a single name. So I implore you to to look and see if we really have true justice
[1:00:43]and transparency here. And the survivors the survivors will know when that has happened. >> And I do I do think that uh Prince Andrew does need to come and testify at our oversight committee and that can be
[1:00:54]bipartisan. But I share Thomas's view that the urgency that the British people have shown in uh getting justice needs
[1:01:03]to inspire an urgency here in America. >> You don't need legislation. You don't need legislation. Go ahead. You don't need legislation to to get the files
[1:01:13]released. President Trump could just release them today. Is that frustrating for you? Why is he and also did you ask him to be here today? It's a really powerful moment in this. >> Look, I I I'll let my colleague speak. I
[1:01:24]I hope the president meets the survivors and I hope when he signs the bill the survivors are there. I don't care if I'm there, Thomas Massie is there or Representative Green's there, but the survivors should be there.
[1:01:35]>> But I look and I hope he meets them because I think if anyone who meets them and sees their emotion will be moved and my my goal is to get justice here. So I
[1:01:45]hope uh he will meet them and really hear what's happened and and and actually take action. But the broader point is yes, the president could order the Justice Department to release the
[1:01:56]files. But what in a constitutional democracy, what we're supposed to have is Congress says that the files should be released and then it's not on the whim of any president. Then the Justice Department is compelled to release those
[1:02:07]files because that's the law of the land. Let's just take a spoken to any Republicans in the Senate who are looking to, you know, move this forward. >> So Senator Mkeley is a Democrat. He's
[1:02:19]led the exact same legislation that Ro and I introduced in the House. One Republican co-sponsored his bill yesterday, and I've have spoken to at least one more who says they will
[1:02:30]co-sponsor. The important thing about the Senate is that they need not to muck this bill up. We've there's a lot of attention on here. We've needlessly
[1:02:40]spent four months dragging this out. a representative, a duly elected representative was denied her seat in Congress for 49 days, and it's time to
[1:02:50]pull the band-aid off. The Senate, you know, it may be tempting for them to get cute and to do things um that will limit the release of these documents. They are
[1:03:00]afraid that people will be embarrassed. Well, that's the whole point here. They need to be brought to justice and embarrassment is no reason to stop it. So, the Senate John Thoon, it's up to
[1:03:11]him. He needs to bring this to the floor of the Senate and I think the the vote today will show that in the House >> and the and the president look the president has said he would sign the bill. You're going to get almost a
[1:03:23]unanimous vote here. So you have the president and a unanimous Congress uh believing that this is protects the survivors and is calling for the release. There's no reason for the
[1:03:34]Senate now uh to as Representative Massie puts it in muck around with it. They need to put it up, have a vote, have the president sign it. Uh if there's any further protections, they
[1:03:45]they can do that through the the DOJ process. But what they should not do is delay a vote on a bill that the House is going to vote overwhelmingly for and that the president supports.
[1:03:55]>> On the release of these files, Congress will actually release these files. Do you take the president at his word when he says he's going to sign this bill? Do
[1:04:06]you have confidence that these files will actually be released? >> I only take people's actions seriously. >> No longer words. >> And what do you think the president's
[1:04:16]>> and I'll I'll tell you cuz I'm I wasn't a Johnny come lately to the MAGA train. I was day one 2015. And there's a big
[1:04:25]difference in those Americans and those that that decided to support President Trump later on. And I'll tell you right now, this has been one of the most
[1:04:36]destructive things to MAGA is watching the man that we supported early on three elections
[1:04:47]for people that stood hours, slept in their cars to go to rallies. um have fought for truth and
[1:04:56]transparency and and to hold what we consider a corrupt government accountable. Watching this actually turn into a fight
[1:05:06]has ripped MAGA apart. And um the only thing that will speak to the
[1:05:14]powerful, courageous women behind me is when action is actually taken to release these files. and the American people
[1:05:24]won't tolerate any other That's where we are today. Thank you. >> Go ahead. Last two more questions and then we're around all day. >> So, is this a a watershed? How would you
[1:05:35]sum up today in terms of your battle to get to the truth? I would say that these survivors have been fighting for decades and they
[1:05:44]finally are being heard by the American people and we're finally going to have a reckoning for this Epstein class that has gotten away with horrific things.
[1:05:55]Look, I I grew up in in in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. People went to church, they played little league, they went to their neighbors for barbecue. They didn't go to a rape island and abuse
[1:06:06]young girls or traffic young girls. and people with extreme wealth uh have thought that the laws don't apply to them and their culture is totally out of touch with the values that built America. And finally, we're going to
[1:06:17]have a reckoning. >> How worried are you? >> Let's take Let's take the lady here. >> Let me ask you this. You said you wanted this to go straight to the Senate. What message does it send to the survivors
[1:06:25]behind you if the act? >> Well, they're not here. They're not going to answer questions, so I'll answer a question. Uh I prefer actually
[1:06:36]it goes straight to the president. He can release these files without the Senate acting. Sometimes they take a long time to get things done. The House figured out four four a way to take four
[1:06:46]months to get this done. U I think it's disrespectful to the survivors if they delay this. There's nothing more important than cleaning out the rot in
[1:06:57]this country and this is rot and it's not a partisan issue and the senators need to get on this. Yes, the economy is important. Yes, international policy is
[1:07:08]important. But there's nothing more important than getting to this rot and cleaning it out. They should put it at the top of their agenda already that would allow the DOJ to not release certain information if it would
[1:07:19]jeopardize an active investigation and the president just last week ordered his DOJ to conduct an investigation. What makes you pass these files?
[1:07:29]>> There are there are a thousand survivors. They can't open enough investigations to cover up everything that's in these files. And yes, it's true. They can try to protect a few. >> Well, we're just going to step away from
[1:07:41]that press conference. Uh victims of Jeffrey Epstein and a number of different representatives uh including uh Roana, Thomas Massie, and Marjgerie
[1:07:50]Taylor Green there. Um speaking for those representatives um to all pushing to say that they hope that this vote in the House tonight to release the Epstein
[1:08:00]files happens. It sounds like it may well be a unanimous vote. Anyway, let's speak now to our US correspondent, James Matthews. James, we have seen press conferences of this nature before, haven't we? When when Epstein's victims
[1:08:12]have stood in front of the cameras um and talked about what happened to them. It's powerful, nevertheless, to see it again, especially when they hold up these images of themselves when they were youngsters at the time that this
[1:08:23]was happening. >> Yeah, that's right, Jane. I mean, you know, searing testimony of youngsters when they fell into the clutches of
[1:08:33]Jeffrey Epstein. And we've heard that over the past hour and you get a real powerful sense of why we are where we are, why they have fought for so long.
[1:08:44]And actually looking at these uh images of these women as youngsters, you get a keen sense of how long they have waited for justice. And that raises questions
[1:08:54]of course in itself. Why has it taken so long to get to this stage? But we are where we are and they're quite content right now given the struggle they have
[1:09:04]had because uh this legislation, this transparency act is going to go through that place, the House of Representatives at least in terms of the political
[1:09:15]machinations that then goes to the Senate uh and thereafter to the desk of President Trump. He has said that he will sign that. That's what has to
[1:09:25]happen. Uh but of course there may be obstacles in the way. One concern amidst uh amidst an upbeat mood here is that
[1:09:36]there are factors at play. Donald Trump has announced this Department of Justice investigation into Democrats who were associated with Jeffrey Epstein. The
[1:09:46]danger as they see it is that that might prevent the publication of particular documents. It's the ability of the Department of Justice to say, "Look, it's an active case. We can't show you
[1:09:58]the content of that." So, it's not cut and dried by any means, but it's been a long journey for these women. We have
[1:10:06]listened to to their firsthand witness testimony uh which has driven this
[1:10:16]driven the subject matter. It has driven it to the door of Capitol Hill, driven it to the door of the White House, and extreme pressure on Donald Trump. And we
[1:10:26]saw that in the cast, the cast list of politicians who were there, Democrats, yes, but one very prominent Republican, Marjgerie Taylor Green, uh, MAGA poster
[1:10:36]girl, loyal supporter of President Trump, as she made clear for many years, she has partied ways with the president in a very ugly way. He calls her
[1:10:47]Marjgerie uh traitor green now. So, you know, that's interesting. There's much talk here. I hear this phrase permission
[1:10:58]structure. Uh people see Marjgerie Taylor Green turning on the president as presenting a permission structure for other Republicans who may be of similar mind, harboring reservations uh about a
[1:11:09]president uh who according to Marjgery Taylor Green is concentrating too much on foreign matters and neglecting the America first agenda and also neglecting
[1:11:20]the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. So, you know, that feeds into what's been a bad fortnight for uh President Trump given the votes a couple of weeks ago and so
[1:11:31]on. And well, we'll see how it works in Congress. This this should pass the House of Representatives possibly unanimously and thereafter we will assess the political fallout.
[1:11:42]Not looking good for Donald Trump right now, however.