Schumer Pushes for Vote on Epstein Document Release

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is urging the Senate to quickly vote on a House bill aimed at releasing a significant number of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, stating he plans to pursue this “immediately.”

The House is set to vote on a resolution from Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that would compel the Department of Justice to release all documents it holds concerning the late financier and convicted sex offender.

There’s a strong expectation that this resolution will pass. Reflecting shifting dynamics, President Donald Trump has recently thrown his support behind the initiative after previously criticizing it.

As for the Senate, it’s still uncertain if Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) will bring the bill to a vote right away. Schumer’s party has been leveraging the Epstein issue as a political tool against Republicans and Trump over the past months, prompting Schumer’s call for immediate action, regardless of Thune’s stance.

“If the House passes the Epstein File Release Act today, I will push for it in the Senate right away,” Schumer declared. He also noted, “Republicans have been trying to shield Trump and keep the file’s contents under wraps. Americans deserve to know the truth. If Leader Thune tries to block this bill, I will fight back.”

Over the weekend, Trump encouraged House Republicans—who have largely resisted the push—to support the resolution. He stated, “House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files because we have nothing to hide. It’s time to move past Democratic distractions from our successes, including the recent shutdown victory.”

During the ongoing government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has kept the House from formally endorsing the resolution as it needs 218 signatures to force a vote.

Schumer and his Democratic colleagues are criticizing Johnson for stalling the measure. Following Trump’s backing, the resolution is expected to pass in the House on Tuesday afternoon. Despite earlier objections, Prime Minister Boris Johnson now aligns with the measure.

“I think it could see a nearly unanimous vote because everyone here—Republicans included—wants maximum transparency,” he stated at a news conference on Tuesday.

Yet, there’s concern from Johnson that amendments may occur in the Senate, where it’s unclear if the bill can even make it to a floor vote, as Senate Republicans might resist Schumer’s push to advance it.