Congress convened a closed-door session with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday, as the House Oversight Committee advanced its investigation into the federal government’s handling of the case. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, was observed departing the meeting early, visibly distressed and in tears. She did not respond to press inquiries as she left the facility, sparking widespread curiosity about the nature of the discussions. A video of her exit circulated on social media, with observers questioning what could have prompted such an intense reaction.

Mace later addressed the incident on her X account, disclosing that she experienced a panic attack during the session due to the traumatic testimonies of survivors. “Since it’s already being reported – Yes I left the Oversight briefing with Epstein victims early,” she wrote. “As a recent survivor (not 2 years in), I had a very difficult time listening to their stories. Full blown panic attack. Sweating. Hyperventilating. Shaking. I can’t breathe.” She emphasized the anguish faced by survivors, stating, “I feel the immense pain of how hard all victims are fighting for themselves because we know absolutely no one will fight for us.”

Multiple Epstein accusers shared their accounts during the afternoon session, though details remain limited. The Oversight Committee has continued its probe into federal agencies’ roles in Epstein’s case, with Democrats advocating for a hearing to highlight testimonies they claim are underrepresented in Justice Department records. The committee has also subpoenaed the DOJ for documents, which began being released last month.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) underscored the importance of the meeting, stating, “Yes, it’s for us to hear from them, to express our deep sympathy for what they’ve been made to endure and ensure that we have been and always will be for maximum transparency, for justice to be brought for all those engaged in these evils and to ensure that happens as quickly as possible.”