Congress Passes Measure to Release Epstein Files

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: Congress Passes Measure to Release Epstein Files
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts

---

Overview

This special Fox News Hourly Update centers on Congress passing a bipartisan measure requiring the full release of the Jeffrey Epstein investigative files. Passed by the Senate and House, the bill is now headed to the president's desk. The episode covers the bill’s significance, reactions from lawmakers, and related news, including House and Senate dynamics, broader transparency issues, and other major headlines on the day.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congress Passes Epstein Files Release Bill

(00:02–00:35)

• The Senate approved a measure, after the House, mandating the “full release of the Epstein file.”
• Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that the issue transcends partisan divides, focusing on public transparency.
  • Quote:

    “This isn’t about Democrats versus Republicans or about Congress versus the president. This is about giving the American people the transparency they’ve been crying for.”
    – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (00:21)

• The House vote was nearly unanimous with only one “no” vote.

2. Lone House Holdout Explains Vote

(00:33–00:56)

• Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) cast the only “no” vote; his statement on X (formerly Twitter) was read on air:
  • Quote:

    “If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files released to a rabid media will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt. Not by my vote.”
    – Rep. Clay Higgins (00:41)

• His concern: the release could inadvertently harm innocent individuals.

3. Epstein Accusers and Lawmakers Respond

(00:56–01:15)

• Survivors and lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), appeared on Capitol Hill in support.
  • Quote:

    “These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight.”
    – Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (00:59)

• The moment underscored the bill’s emotional impact for survivors of Epstein’s crimes.

---

4. Other Key National Headlines

U.S. – Saudi Relations & Jamal Khashoggi Case

(01:15–01:42)

• President Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding a major arms deal.
• The Crown Prince addressed questions about the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi:
  • Quote:

    “We did all the right steps of investigation, etc. in Saudi Arabia and we’ve improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that. And it’s painful and it’s a huge mistake and we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.”
    – Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (01:28)

• President Trump dismissed U.S. intelligence findings implicating the crown prince.

Market Update

(01:42–01:59)

• Wall Street experienced declines:
  • Dow down 498 points
  • Nasdaq off 275
• The selloff followed similar trends in Europe and Asia.

---

5. Sean "Diddy" Combs Facing New Allegations

(03:01–03:26)

• The LA County Sheriff’s Department is investigating Combs after a male music producer alleged sexual battery.
• Combs denies the allegations and is already serving a four-year sentence for unrelated convictions.

6. Danny Masterson Appeals Rape Convictions

(03:26–04:07)

• Actor Danny Masterson’s new lawyers filed a petition claiming ineffective defense and bias against the Church of Scientology.
• Masterson, part of the show “That ’70s Show,” faces a 30-year-to-life sentence.

7. Texas Congressional Map Blocked

(04:07–04:20)

• A federal court blocked Texas’s new GOP-drawn map, siding with opponents who argued the plan discriminated against Black and Hispanic voters.

8. Meta Platforms Win Antitrust Case

(04:20–04:53)

• Meta (parent of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) prevailed in a Federal Trade Commission antitrust lawsuit.
• The court ruled Meta does not currently have a monopoly in social media.
• This contrasts with separate “illegal monopoly” rulings against Google.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sen. Chuck Schumer on bipartisan transparency:

  “This isn’t about Democrats versus Republicans or about Congress versus the president. This is about giving the American people the transparency they’ve been crying for.” (00:21)

• Rep. Clay Higgins defending his “no” vote:

  “If enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal... will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt. Not by my vote.” (00:41)

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene honoring survivors:

  “These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight.” (00:59)

• Saudi Crown Prince on Jamal Khashoggi:

  “We did all the right steps of investigation, etc. in Saudi Arabia... We are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.” (01:28)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Epstein Files Bill Passes Senate & House: 00:02–00:35
• Rep. Clay Higgins’ Statement: 00:35–00:56
• Epstein Accusers & MTG Response: 00:56–01:15
• Trump–Saudi Meeting & Khashoggi: 01:15–01:42
• Market Update: 01:42–01:59
• Sean Combs Allegation: 03:01–03:26
• Danny Masterson Appeal: 03:26–04:07
• Texas Redistricting Case: 04:07–04:20
• Meta Antitrust Case Win: 04:20–04:53

---

Style & Tone

The episode is brisk, factual, and leans on direct quotations from anchor readings and actual statements. Coverage is concise and news-driven, with an emphasis on official reactions and the voices of those directly involved.

---

Transcript

[A]

This is a FOX News alert. It will head to the president's desk. I'm Lisa Licera.

[B]

The Senate has now passed the Epstein bill as soon as it comes over from the House.

[A]

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer as the Senate agrees to approve a measure to fully release the Epstein file.

[B]

This isn't about Democrats versus Republicans or about Congress versus the president. This is about giving the American people the transparency they've been crying for.

[A]

It's coming after a near unanimous vote in the House.

[C]

The only no vote, the one no vote was Republican congressman from Louisiana, Clay Higgins. And he explained why he voted no on X. Here. He wrote in part, if enacted in its current form, this type of broad reveal of criminal investigative files released to a rabid media will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt. Not by my vote.

[A]

Fox is Akihosti at the Capitol. Capitol. Earlier today, some of Epstein's accusers and members of Congress stood together on Capitol Hill. Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene saying these women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight. A White House sit down between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the Saudis hope to secure the purchase of U.S. fighter planes. The crown prince was asked about U.S. intelligence findings that he knew about the killing of a Saudi American journalist in 2018.

[B]

We did all the right steps of investigation, etc. In Saudi Arabia and we've improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that. And it's painful and it's a huge mistake and we are doing our best that this doesn't happen again.

[A]

President Trump dismissed the findings claiming the crown prince knew nothing about it. Wall street stocks fell again following a sell off in Europe and asia. The Dow lost 4. 98, the NASDAQ off to 75. America is listening to Fox News.

[D]

We've all heard the rad TV ads about the irs. They tell you to be afraid, to be scared and they try to frighten you into calling. I'm not here to do that. Tax relief advocates is different. TRA is here to tell you that if you owe money to the IRS, whether it's 5,000, 50,000 or 500,000, we have a solution to your tax problem. It doesn't matter if you're sitting in your car at work or with your kids, no matter where you are, visit tra.com don't lose hope. TRA can reduce or even eliminate what you owe to the irs. Our passion is taxes and helping individuals and businesses fix their IRS problems. We have thousands of five star reviews on Google and an A with the Better Business Bureau. You don't need to be afraid of the IRS any longer. Generous tax relief programs are now available that can give you a fresh start. So don't wait. End your tax nightmare today by visiting us [e-mail] that's tra.com tax relief advocates real solutions for real people.

[A]

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating a new sexual battery claim against Sean Diddy Combs from a male music producer who claims Combs exposed himself to him and asked him to perform a sex act. Combs attorney says his client denies the allegations. Combs is currently serving a four year prison term on prostitution related convictions. There's a new petition from convicted rapist and actor Danny Masterson.

[E]

That 70s show actor Danny Masterson has new lawyers and they filed a petition for his two rape convictions and prison sentence to be thrown out, claiming his trial lawyers put on a poor defense and failed to call key witnesses and introduce essential evidence that might have exonerated him. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being convicted of raping two women at his Los Angeles home in the early 2000s. He's a Scientology member and the petition also argues the trial judge demonstrated a bias against the Church of Scientology, allowing an unconstitutional intrusion into the church's doctrine and a misinterpretation of its scripture. Lillian Wu, Fox News A federal court.

[A]

Has blocked Texas from using a new congressional map that Republicans drew in hopes of picking up five seats in the US House, siding with opponents who argued the redistricting would harm black and Hispanic voters. A big win for Meta platforms.

[F]

Meta platforms prevailing in a historic Federal Trade Commission case that could have forced the social media giant to restructure or spin off Instagram and WhatsApp. A US district judge ruling that Meta does not hold a monopoly in social media networking. The decision follows two separate rulings that branded Google an illegal monopoly in both search and online advertising. The case is part of a larger antitrust crackdown on big tech in the US In September, a federal judge refused to break up Google for monopolizing the online search and advertising market.

[A]

FOX is Hilary Barski. I'm Lisa Lucera. This is FOX News.

[G]

It's Will Kane, Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Show, listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.