Senate Rejects Amendment Forcing Release Of Epstein Files

The U.S. Senate narrowly voted 51-49 to table a Democratic-led amendment that would have compelled the Justice Department to release all investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pushed the amendment as part of the annual defense authorization bill, seeking greater transparency about the Epstein case, which has been a contentious issue tied to allegations involving powerful figures including President Donald Trump. Two Republican senators, Josh Hawley and Rand Paul, broke ranks with their party to support the release, arguing the American public should have access to the files much like historical files on MLK and JFK. However, most Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune and Susan Collins, opposed the amendment, viewing it as political gamesmanship that could jeopardize the defense bill. The move exposed divisions within the GOP, reflecting pressure from MAGA-aligned voters for transparency, though House efforts to force release have also struggled to gain sufficient Republican support. Schumer criticized the opposition for blocking accountability, while Republicans maintain the amendment was not the proper avenue for such disclosure.