Virginia Giuffre's Brother Sobs Hours Before House Vote on Release of Epstein Files: 'Stop Just Talking About It and Act' By Liam Quinn

Virginia Giuffre’s brother emotionally spoke out at a press conference held outside the U.S. Capitol hours before the House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill that would demand the release of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Sky Roberts, the younger brother of Giuffre, spoke through tears during the Tuesday, Nov. 18, press conference.

“My sister is not a political tool for you to use, these survivors are not political tools for you to use,” Roberts said, referring to members of Congress. “These are real stories, real trauma and it’s time for you to stop just talking about it and act. Vote yes.”

“Virginia’s legacy is not just hers, it belongs to all of us who stand against injustice,” he continued. “Together we will ensure that the voices of survivors are heard, that the truth prevails and that the horrors of the past are never repeated.”

Prior to her death by suicide in April, Giuffre had alleged that she had been trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to high-profile individuals, including the former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The bipartisan bill in front of the House would compel the Justice Department to publish “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in DOJ’s possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.”

Anything related to Epstein’s confidante Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as flight logs, travel records and “individuals named or referenced (including government officials) in connection with the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein,” could stand to be released, according to a summary of the bill.

Even if the bill does pass the House, which it is expected to do, it would still need to pass the Senate and then be signed by President Donald Trump before taking effect.

The political firestorm surrounding the potential release of the files has created a headache for the Trump administration.

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Despite initially opposing the bill, the president reversed course and urged House Republicans to vote yes once it became clear there were already enough votes for it to pass.

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The information contained in the files is separate from the thousands of documents released to the House Oversight Committee. Democrats on the committee released emails from Epstein that mention Trump multiple times, in which the financier questioned the president’s mental state and implied he “knew about the girls” being trafficked.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to PEOPLE in the aftermath of the emails’ release that House Democrats were pushing a “hoax” to distract from Trump’s “historic accomplishments.”

Epstein controversially died by suicide in a New York City jail while set to face sex trafficking charges. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for a sex trafficking conviction.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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