House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer accused House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ campaign of “soliciting money from Jeffrey Epstein,” citing a 2013 email inviting Epstein to a Democratic fundraiser and to “get to know” Jeffries. Comer said the message, uncovered in newly released documents, showed Democratic fundraisers sought Epstein’s involvement during efforts to build a majority.

The email, sent May 7, 2013, by Lisa Rossi of consulting firm Dynamic SRG and forwarded by Epstein aide Lesley Groff, introduced Jeffries as a rising Democratic “star” and encouraged Epstein to participate in a DCCC/DSCC dinner with President Obama. The invitation came roughly five years after Epstein pleaded guilty to offenses involving a minor. Though Epstein had contributed to multiple Democrats in earlier years, Federal Election Commission records show no donations to Jeffries or the committees at that time.

Republicans on the Oversight Committee released more than 20,000 Epstein-related documents last week, including the email. The disclosure coincides with Congress passing legislation compelling the Justice Department to release additional Epstein case files. The House overwhelmingly approved the bill Tuesday, and the Senate allowed it to pass automatically. President Donald Trump has said he will sign it, despite Speaker Mike Johnson’s attempt at late revisions.

Under the bill, the Justice Department will have 30 days after Trump’s signature to release the files with redactions protecting victims. Speaker Johnson on Tuesday highlighted Republicans’ efforts to ensure transparency surrounding the Epstein files while safeguarding those harmed by Epstein’s crimes.

Johnson argued Democrats had shown no interest in pursuing transparency during the four years of the Biden administration, despite having access to the files. He said the same Democrats now demanding disclosures remained silent while Biden’s Justice Department held the documents.

Johnson also criticized Democrats for previously dismissing issues such as the border crisis, inflation, and concerns about President Biden’s health, saying their sudden interest in the Epstein investigation was politically motivated.