Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in person in Washington as part of the congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, in a last-minute effort to avoid an imminent vote in the House of Representatives that could have led to a contempt of Congress citation.

The agreement follows months of refusal by the Clintons to testify, a stance that prompted the House Oversight Committee to move forward with contempt proceedings. However, it remains unclear whether the committee’s Republican chair, James Comer, will accept the proposal, as he says that key details — including dates and terms — have not yet been finalized.

A Last-Minute Shift to Avoid Legal Consequences

According to reports, the Clintons’ decision to appear in person marks a significant reversal after months of resistance. That refusal had pushed the committee toward a formal contempt vote, a step that can carry legal consequences.

It is still uncertain whether the full House will proceed with a vote even if testimony dates are eventually agreed upon.

“They Will Be There,” Says Clinton Spokesperson

Bill Clinton’s spokesperson, Ángel Ureña, sharply criticized Comer in a post on X, stating that the Clintons had negotiated in good faith and would appear as agreed.

“They have already testified under oath about what they know, but that doesn’t seem to matter to you,” Ureña wrote. “Nevertheless, the former president and former secretary of state will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”

Comer: “No Dates, No Clear Terms”

Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said he remains skeptical, emphasizing that no concrete dates have been set and that the terms of the testimony remain vague.

“The only reason they suddenly agreed is because the House moved forward with contempt proceedings,” Comer said. He added that he would clarify the terms before consulting committee members on the next steps.

Democrats: “They Accepted Every Condition”

Democratic members of the Oversight Committee expressed confidence that Comer would ultimately accept the deal, insisting that the Clintons have agreed to all conditions imposed.

Representative Robert Garcia told CNN that Democrats had wanted Bill Clinton to testify from the outset and welcomed the development as a step toward transparency.

Committee Had Already Initiated Contempt Proceedings

Just hours before the new proposal, Comer had signaled his intent to proceed with contempt proceedings, noting that nearly six months had passed since the Clintons were subpoenaed, more than three months since the original testimony date, and nearly three weeks since their failure to appear.

He also accused the Clintons of seeking “special treatment,” calling it an insult to the public’s demand for transparency. At the time, the House Rules Committee was already preparing the framework for a potential vote when the Clintons’ last-minute offer was submitted.