This resolution (H.Res. 913) expresses the House of Representatives’ opposition to any commutation, clemency, or pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, a federally convicted child sex trafficker. It notes Maxwell’s 20-year sentence and the fact she has served about three years and four months, asserting she has refused to take responsibility for her crimes.
The text also reiterates support for the survivors and victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell and calls for the full release of the Epstein investigative files. As a nonbinding expression, it communicates a political position rather than creating enforceable obligations.
At a Glance
What It Does
The resolution states opposition to any grant of commutation, clemency, or pardon for Maxwell and accompanies it with a reaffirmation of survivor-focused messaging and a demand for Epstein-file disclosures.
Who It Affects
Directly affects Members of the House and the Judiciary Committee; indirectly influence the Pardon Attorney and DOJ review processes, survivor advocacy groups, and public discourse surrounding clemency decisions.
Why It Matters
Signals a moral and policy stance from the House, frames public expectations around future clemency considerations, and elevates transparency concerns regarding Epstein-related documents.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill is a nonbinding House resolution led by Rep. Jamie Raskin.
It declares that the House opposes any clemency, commutation, or pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in federal court for child sex trafficking and related offenses. The resolution emphasizes Maxwell’s 20-year sentence and the fact that she has served a portion of that sentence, while noting she has not acknowledged responsibility.
It also explicitly supports Epstein–Maxwell survivors and calls for the release of Epstein files. Because it is a resolution, it does not alter law or create penalties; its purpose is to articulate the House’s position and influence public and political discourse around clemency and related transparency matters.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The resolution opposes any clemency for Maxwell.
Maxwell’s 20-year federal sentence is acknowledged, with a note on time served.
The text asserts Maxwell has refused to take responsibility and has demeaned victims.
It reiterates support for survivors of Epstein and Maxwell’s crimes.
It calls for the full release of Epstein-related files.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Opposition to clemency
This section states the House’s opposition to any grant of commutation, clemency, or pardon for Maxwell. It frames Maxwell’s crimes and the agency’s and public interest in not offering leniency, while clarifying the resolution’s nonbinding nature as a statement of congressional sentiment rather than a directive.
Support for survivors
This clause reiterates support for survivors and victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell, underscoring the House’s commitment to acknowledging victims’ experiences and prioritizing their voices in the broader public discourse surrounding the case.
Epstein files release
The final clause reaffirms the need for the full release of the Epstein investigative files, signaling a push for transparency and continued oversight of related investigations and historical records.
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Explore Justice in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Survivors and victims of Epstein/Maxwell trafficking — gain political and symbolic support from the House, which can influence advocacy and accountability efforts.
- Victim advocacy groups and anti-trafficking organizations — benefit from a clear, survivor-centered stance that aligns with their mission.
- Public watchdogs, journalists, and transparency advocates — gain material framing for press coverage and public demand for disclosure of Epstein-related documents.
- Judiciary Committee members and aligned lawmakers — benefit from a codified expression of their stance on clemency and victims’ rights.
- Constituents who prioritize accountability in clemency processes — benefit from a strong congressional signal around this issue.
Who Bears the Cost
- Executive branch actors (President and the Office of the Pardon Attorney) — may face increased scrutiny and political pressure in future clemency considerations, potentially affecting decision timelines.
- Maxwell’s legal team and public relations apparatus — may encounter heightened political scrutiny and public discourse surrounding the case.
- Administrative and archival resources in the Executive Branch and federal agencies — could incur additional workload in responding to inquiries about clemency processes and Epstein-related file requests.
- Public institutions involved in transparency and records disclosure — may bear costs related to processing and redacting documents if public pressure translates into formal requests under FOIA or similar mechanisms.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is whether a nonbinding congressional expression should influence or constrain the President’s clemency powers and DOJ procedures without overstepping constitutional boundaries or politicizing a constitutional process.
Because this is a nonbinding resolution, it does not change law or create enforceable requirements. Its primary effect is to articulate a House stance and influence public and political dialogue around clemency and transparency.
The central tension lies in balancing a moral/policy statement with the constitutional prerogatives of the President and the DOJ’s pardon processes; the resolution cannot compel action, but it can shape expectations and scrutiny. Unresolved questions include how this stance would affect future clemency considerations in similar cases and what the practical implications would be for Epstein-file disclosures beyond the public discourse.
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