'Not a sl*t, not a wh*re!': Nancy Mace backs Epstein victims as House passes bill to release files

Key Concepts

• Discharge Petition: A legislative maneuver used in the U.S. House of Representatives to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.
• Epstein Victims: Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring.
• Jane Doe: A placeholder name used for an unknown female individual, often in legal contexts.
• DOJ (Department of Justice): The federal executive department responsible for enforcing the law and administering justice.
• Rape Island: A colloquial term referring to Jeffrey Epstein's private island where alleged sexual abuse occurred.

Legislative Action for Epstein Victims

This transcript details a significant legislative effort in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at delivering justice for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring. The core of this action was a discharge petition, a procedural tool used to bypass committee inaction and bring a bill directly to the House floor for a vote. This effort was spearheaded by a bipartisan group of four representatives: Congressman Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Nancy Mace.

Symbolism and Personal Significance

Congresswoman Nancy Mace, speaking on the House floor, highlighted the personal and symbolic importance of the day. She explained her decision to wear white as a reflection of the "innocence of the young women who had their innocence stolen" by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. She emphasized that these victims, some as young as 14, had their innocence taken by "demons, friends of his, rich and powerful people." Mace also noted that wearing white was a recognition of the immense courage and sacrifices required for women to come forward about sexual assault, often facing shame, embarrassment, and professional repercussions. She stated, "we today, we see you," directly addressing Epstein survivors and all victims of assault.

Broader Implications Beyond Epstein

While the immediate focus was on the Epstein victims, Mace articulated that this legislative push represented a larger fight for the powerless against the powerful. It was about "giving women who never had a voice, giving a voice to the voiceless" and recognizing their courage and sacrifice. Mace shared her own experience as a survivor of trauma, detailing how speaking out led to attacks, shame, and defamation. She expressed that while she may not fully heal from her abuser's actions, she finds healing by being a "vessel and being a voice for all those who need it." She also mentioned her ongoing work, including speaking with law enforcement about a potential "Jane Doe number five" in a case she uncovered, underscoring the continued need for justice.

Addressing Opposition and Falsehoods

Congressman Massie, speaking after Mace, framed the legislative effort as a response to inaction, stating, "All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." He criticized the opposition, particularly on the other side of the aisle, for opposing their efforts and spreading "lies about the legislation." He refuted specific claims, such as the legislation not protecting victims or preventing the release of child pornography, asserting that the bill explicitly addresses these concerns and that dozens of victims were present at a press conference supporting the legislation.

Judicial System Failures and the Need for Accountability

Massie argued that the current judicial system is "broken," citing the existence of "a thousand victims who haven't seen justice yet" in the Epstein cases. He warned that wealth and political influence should not shield individuals from accountability for rape and trafficking. He specifically urged the Senate not to "muck this up," referencing efforts to derail the discharge petition and the slow pace of document release by the Oversight Committee. He accused the DOJ of still protecting "pedophiles and sex traffickers."

Criticism of Senate Amendments and the President's Stance

Massie expressed concern that the Speaker was suggesting amendments in the Senate, which he believed were intended to create loopholes and potentially categorize pedophiles as victims or protect the names of those associated with "Rape Island" from "unreliable accusations." He questioned if the victims' testimonies were being deemed unreliable, noting that the FBI possesses this information. He directly appealed to Senate colleagues, stating that any party to derailing the bill would be "part of this cover up." He concluded by emphasizing that the President has indicated he will sign the bill as it stands, urging its swift passage without amendments.

Measuring Success

Massie defined the success of the bill not just by its passage but by tangible outcomes: "We will know when there are men, rich men in handcuffs being perwalked to the jail. And until then, this is still a cover up." He reiterated the call for justice for the victims and for the bill to be sent to the President's desk without delay.