LaLota says he will vote to release Epstein files, despite concerns; Garbarino silent on plans

WASHINGTON — Long Island GOP Rep. Nick LaLota says he will vote in favor of a bill to force the Department of Justice to release its investigative files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

LaLota said his decision to vote for the bill is not a reversal – even though he previously declined to join other lawmakers in signing a petition that is now forcing a vote that will come as early as Tuesday. He also says his decision has nothing to do with President Donald Trump’s about-face on the bill on Sunday.

Rather, LaLota (R-Amityville) said Monday that he was always supportive of transparency regarding Epstein-related information -- and pursuits of more information.

But he also said he remains concerned with how this particular bill is written, in his words, “hastily” and “sloppily,” in a way he worries could expose the names of victims and jeopardize ongoing investigations. That was why he did not sign the petition, he said.

But now that the bill will go to the floor and be voted on, LaLota said he will support it with the hopes the Senate — before it votes on the bill — amends the measure to provide more safeguards.

The office of Long Island’s other House Republican, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, of Bayport, did not say Monday whether he was also voting for the bill. Like LaLota, he did not sign the discharge petition, citing similar concerns.

While LaLota says he is not reversing himself, the two Long Island House Republicans are among dozens of their party colleagues who in recent days have found themselves in increasingly awkward scrutiny.

For many of these previous holdouts against the vote, Trump's call Sunday night for them to back the measure — after previously pressuring them to not sign a petition to force such a vote — was an opening to do so without having to break with the president.

"House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday night, calling it time to "move on from this Democratic Hoax."

Trump has repeatedly denied being close to Epstein, the former financier who hanged himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on more charges.

LaLota’s office on Monday also provided Newsday a copy of a letter generically addressed "Dear Constituent" and dated Thursday stating, "I will vote on releasing the Epstein files."

"I announced my intention to vote yes well before the President urged support," LaLota said in a statement.

In his "Dear Colleague" letter saying he will vote for the bill, LaLota writes, "Thank you for contacting me regarding the release of the Epstein files. As the father of three young daughters, I share your outrage at the horrific crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein."

"You have my word: when this measure comes to the House floor, I will vote yes to release the Epstein files," LaLota states.

LaLota does also reiterate some of his previous concerns, writing, "I do not want innocent people to be shamed or falsely implicated because of reckless disclosures, nor do I want victims forced to relive their trauma."

On Wednesday, the day before LaLota's constituent letter, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) finalized 218 bipartisan House signatures needed on a discharge petition to force a vote that had been delayed. Neither LaLota nor Garbarino joined in signing.

Then, also Wednesday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released three new emails from the Epstein estate that raised new questions about the extent of Trump’s and Epstein’s relationship.

By Thursday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), was himself accepting that, in fact, Massie’s and Khanna’s petition had enough votes to force a vote on getting the DOJ documents, and he announced the vote would happen this week.

On Sunday, Johnson told "Fox News Sunday," "We’ll just get this done and move it on. There’s nothing to hide."

On Monday, Trump told reporters he’ll sign the bill if it comes to his desk. The measure would require the Department of Justice to release its full files on Epstein within 30 days of the bill becoming law.