A House Republican said the flight logs from accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet haven’t been released because too many lawmakers could be “compromised” by their release. 

Rep. Tim Burchett, Tennessee Republican, touched on Congress’ hesitance to release the flight records of Mr. Epstein’s infamous “Lolita Express,” which was allegedly used to shuttle young women to his private island and other homes throughout the country and across the world.  

“Too many of my colleagues I’m afraid are compromised in this area for whatever reason,” Mr. Burchett told Newsmax. “Somebody whispered in their ear saying, ‘Hey, you don’t want something to come out on something else, you better keep your mouth shut on this.’ That’s exactly what they’ve done.”

Numerous politicians, actors and public figures have reportedly been on Mr. Epstein’s plane, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Prince Andrew, billionaire Bill Gates and Kevin Spacey, among others. 

Mr. Burchett’s jab at the lack of transparency on the Lolita Express’ flight records follows the announcement that a New York court intends to release the names of 177 of Mr. Epstein’s associates early next year. 

The list of names is set to include victims, recruiters and friends of Mr. Epstein, who prison officials said hanged himself in 2019 in a Manhattan cell while awaiting trial for running an international child sex trafficking ring.

Mr. Burchett’s accusation also comes after recent pushes by himself and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, to subpoena the flight records. 

Mr. Burchett urged House Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer, Kentucky Republican, to subpoena the flight logs earlier this month after an effort by Mrs. Blackburn was “stonewalled” by Senate Democrats. 

Mrs. Blackburn tried to subpoena the flight records in November and subsequently tried to force a subpoena during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing later that month. She blamed Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, Illinois Democrat, for blocking the effort. 

“[Sen. Dick Durbin] BLOCKED my request to subpoena Jeffrey Epstein’s flight logs. What are Democrats trying to hide?” Blackburn said on X at the time. 

Mr. Burchett said that getting access to the flight logs “shouldn’t be a partisan issue.”

“We should all be concerned about the horrors of sex trafficking, especially when it involves kids, but I’ll call on Republicans to show some leadership in this field if the Democrats insist on stonewalling it like this,” Mr. Burchett said.  

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.