House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) spoke before the House Rules Committee to support House Resolution 668, which calls for continued investigation into the federal government’s handling of cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Comer addressed committee members about recent meetings with survivors of Epstein and Maxwell’s crimes. “Their stories are heartbreaking,” Comer said. “What they have suffered and endured should never have happened and is sickening.”
He criticized past actions by federal agencies, stating, “They were not only victims of crimes but were betrayed by their own government. Since 1996 the FBI ignored tips. Then, US attorneys gave Epstein a sweetheart deal to avoid significant jail time. The government simply disregarded the law and ignored the victims of these crimes. It was and is unacceptable.”
The Oversight Committee has recently sought documents and testimony related to Epstein and Maxwell, including subpoenas for Maxwell, former federal officials, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Epstein estate. “For the past six weeks, the Oversight Committee has worked tirelessly to request documents and testimony regarding Epstein and Maxwell,” Comer stated.
He outlined recent progress: “We have already deposed former Attorney General Bill Barr. DOJ provided nearly 34,000 pages of documents and will produce more. The estate will begin production on September 8.” He described this as “the most thorough investigation into Epstein and Maxwell to date” with results already being seen.
Comer emphasized that survivors back these investigative efforts: “What we heard today is that these survivors support these efforts and support transparency and accountability.” He added that House Resolution 668 would further those goals by supporting ongoing work, release of documents, and meeting survivors’ demands for closure.
“There is no question that Epstein and Maxwell were terrible criminals,” Comer said. He concluded his remarks by urging support for the resolution: “With your support, and the support of the House, we can continue to do the work to provide closure and justice to the hundreds of victims.”
James Comer currently represents Kentucky’s 1st district in Congress after replacing Ed Whitfield in 2016. Before joining Congress in 2016 he served in Kentucky’s state legislature from 2001-2012. Comer was born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972 and lives in Tompkinsville. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1993.
