House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) spoke before the House Rules Committee in support of House Resolution 668. The resolution calls for the Oversight Committee to continue its investigation into possible mismanagement by federal authorities in their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases.
Comer addressed the committee after meeting with survivors of crimes committed by Epstein and Maxwell. “Their stories are heartbreaking,” Comer said. “What they have suffered and endured should never have happened and is sickening.” He continued, “They were not only victims of crimes but were betrayed by their own government.”
Comer criticized federal agencies for their actions dating back decades. “Since 1996 the FBI ignored tips,” he said. “Then, US attorneys gave Epstein a sweetheart deal to avoid significant jail time.” According to Comer, these failures represented a disregard for both law and victims.
He outlined steps taken over the past six weeks as part of what he described as the most thorough investigation into Epstein and Maxwell so far. The committee has subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell for a deposition, requested documents from the Department of Justice (DOJ), sought depositions from ten former federal officials, requested documents from the Epstein estate, and arranged an interview with Alex Acosta. Former Attorney General Bill Barr has already been deposed, DOJ has provided nearly 34,000 pages of documents with more expected, and production from the estate is scheduled to begin September 8.
“The Committee is working at an unprecedented pace and doing the work as it is supposed to be done,” Comer stated. He noted that survivors support these efforts toward transparency and accountability.
“This resolution furthers those goals,” Comer said. “It supports our work. It supports the release of documents. And most importantly, it achieves what the survivors want.”
He concluded: “There is no question that Epstein and Maxwell were terrible criminals. 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 represents Kentucky’s 1st district in Congress and has held this position since 2016. Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012 according to Ballotpedia. Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972, Comer currently lives in Tompkinsville at age 50. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University in 1993.
