Senate Readies for Swift Action on Epstein Records Bill

Senators are poised to act quickly on a recently passed House bill mandating that the Justice Department disclose all unclassified documents related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. There’s a chance Congress could approve this measure unanimously by Tuesday night.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader from New York, announced his intention to seek unanimous consent for the immediate passage of the Epstein File Transparency Act, which received overwhelming support in the House, voting 427-1.

Republicans indicated on Tuesday afternoon they don’t plan to delay the bill, echoing the bipartisan enthusiasm from their colleagues across the Capitol.

“Later today, we will request a unanimous Senate vote to pass the House Epstein bill,” Schumer stated from the Senate floor shortly after 3 p.m. He also mentioned that women who have suffered at Epstein’s hands held a press conference outside the Capitol that morning, urging Congress to act on the bill.

“The House is sending a clear message,” Schumer emphasized. “The Senate’s best move is to pass the bill as it stands today.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, informed reporters that the bill could be passed quickly and with full consensus, yet he expressed uncertainty about whether any amendments would be proposed.

He revealed that the Senate Republican cloakroom is currently gathering feedback on the bill to determine if there are any reservations among Republican senators about swift action.

Thune intends to bring the bill to the floor “as soon as we have a sense of where members stand.”

Regarding potential amendments, Thune remarked, “Even with a 427-1 introduction in the House and acknowledgment that the president intends to sign it, I cannot say for certain whether there would be amendments proposed.”

While he mentioned not having met with any of Epstein’s victims, he suggested, “If they wish to meet with us, we’d be open to that.”

He also indicated there’s a “chance” that the Senate might approve the bill on Tuesday evening.