Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before Congress in an investigation tied to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, a move that could halt an escalating push to hold the former president and former secretary of state in contempt.
Their decision comes just days after the House Oversight Committee signaled it was prepared to recommend contempt proceedings over their refusal to appear in person. Such a step could have opened the door to criminal referrals, raising the political temperature around an already explosive probe.
The inquiry has gained new momentum following the Justice Department’s release of millions of internal documents related to Epstein, shedding further light on his long-standing connections with influential figures across politics, finance, academia and business — both before and after his 2008 conviction on prostitution charges.
House leaders confirmed that discussions are underway over the terms of the Clintons’ testimony, with committee lawyers reviewing the details. The agreement to testify has been welcomed by Republican leadership, which had been weighing whether to press ahead with contempt votes.
The Oversight Committee had accused the Clintons of stonewalling after they declined in-person appearances, despite offering written cooperation. The former first couple pushed back strongly, arguing the investigation was driven by partisan motives and designed to shield President Donald Trump from scrutiny.
Responding to the development, a senior aide to the Clintons said the pair are ready to appear and answer questions under oath, framing the decision as an effort to establish a standard that applies uniformly, regardless of political stature.
Bill Clinton has previously acknowledged traveling on Epstein’s private aircraft several times in the early 2000s, after leaving the White House. He has said he regrets the association and maintains he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct at the time.
While the agreement to testify may cool immediate tensions, uncertainty remains. The committee’s chair said no deposition dates have yet been set and that the terms proposed by the Clintons’ legal team remain vague. Lawmakers are expected to determine next steps once those details are clarified.
For now, the looming contempt vote appears paused — but not scrapped — as Congress waits to see whether the promised testimony materializes.
