Former US President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, will testify in a congressional investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a staff member said.
The decision could prevent a planned vote in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to convict two prominent Democrats of contempt of Congress, which could lead to criminal charges, Reuters reports.
The recent release of millions of internal US Justice Department documents relating to Epstein revealed the late financier and sex offender's connections to many prominent people in politics, finance, academia and business - both before and after he pleaded guilty to prostitution charges in 2008.
Asked whether the House of Representatives would suspend the contempt of Congress vote against the Clintons, House Speaker Mike Johnson told Reuters: "They're working on that right now. The lawyers are working through the details."
Johnson had earlier welcomed the news that the former president and former secretary of state had agreed to testify.
The House Oversight Committee last week recommended that the Clintons be held in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify about their relationship with Epstein. The Clintons have offered to cooperate with the committee but have declined to appear in person, saying the investigation is a partisan exercise aimed at protecting Republican President Donald Trump.
"They told you under oath what they know, but you don't care. But the former president and the former secretary of state will be there. They're looking forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone," Clinton deputy chief of staff Angel Urena said on social media.
Bill Clinton flew on Epstein's plane several times in the early 2000s after leaving office. He expressed regret for the connection and said he knew nothing about Epstein's criminal activities.
Republican Congressman James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said the Clintons have not been given a date for their testimony and that he will discuss next steps with committee members.
"The Clintons' attorneys have said they agree to the terms, but those terms are again unclear and they have not offered any dates for testimony," Comer said.
"I will clarify the terms they agree to, and then discuss next steps with the board members."
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