Rep. Ashley Hinson Faces Scrutiny Over Epstein-Related Votes and Donations
Representative Ashley Hinson from Iowa is facing criticism after it was revealed that she accepted $90,000 from billionaire donors linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This controversy intensifies as Hinson reportedly missed several key votes in the House aimed at investigating Epstein and his associates.
All the votes Hinson missed took place within the House Appropriations Committee, where she holds a seat. While her absence did not directly impact the outcomes, it has fueled discussions regarding her commitment to supporting survivors of sexual assault.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in August 2019, shortly after his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges. Notably, the majority of Hinson’s missed votes occurred in September 2025, as Congress deliberated over measures to disclose Justice Department records concerning the Epstein investigation. Many of Epstein’s victims were underage girls.
On September 3, 2025, Hinson missed two crucial votes: one aimed at hastening the release of these files and another intended to prevent public funds from obstructing the release of visitor logs for Epstein’s properties and aircraft.
Further absences were noted on September 10, 2025, when amendments related to Epstein were being considered in a federal funding bill. Among these was an amendment urging the Justice Department to disclose records about the prison transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s close associate.
Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s crimes, was transferred controversially to a minimum-security facility in August 2025, following meetings with officials from the Trump administration, including future Attorney General Todd Blanche. Hinson expressed she was “glad” about Blanche’s appointment.
Although Hinson was present for other votes on September 10, 2025, her absence during Epstein-related matters drew attention. Other amendments included a measure to prevent the Justice Department from using funds to redact Epstein files and another requiring a comprehensive report on the investigation by the attorney general.
On the same day, Hinson’s campaign received donations from billionaire Stephen A. Schwarzman, featured over 20 times in Epstein-related documents. Schwarzman contributed $7,000 to Hinson’s Senate campaign and $5,000 to her leadership PAC.
Initially hesitant to endorse a petition for a House vote on releasing the Epstein files, Hinson eventually supported the files’ release during a floor vote. In August, she missed yet another committee vote on an amendment to prevent taxpayer money from being used to lift sanctions on alleged child traffickers.
Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA), who proposed the amendment, stated, “For too long, the powerful have used their connections to dodge consequences. This amendment stops taxpayer dollars from being used to lift sanctions on credible child traffickers.”
Hinson is campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat in Iowa against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek, in what is anticipated to be a highly competitive race in 2026.
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