Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
The Senate on Wednesday narrowly voted to block an amendment from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., that would have forced the Justice Department to release all Jeffrey Epstein files, a move that has gained bipartisan momentum in the House.
In a 51-49 vote, senators agreed to table Schumer’s amendment to the annual defense policy bill. Only two Republicans — Rand Paul of Kentucky and Josh Hawley of Missouri — joined all 47 Democrats in opposing the motion, putting themselves at odds with the White House.
Schumer used a surprise procedural maneuver earlier in the day to bring the issue directly to the Senate floor. “There has been so much lying, obfuscation, cover-ups — the American people need to see everything that’s in the Epstein file, and my amendment would make that happen,” Schumer said. “Donald Trump has lied about this. The American people — Democrats, independents, Republicans — are demanding it be made public.”
Hawley, Paul Break Ranks
Hawley, who has been floated as a possible 2028 presidential contender, told reporters he supported disclosure.
“My position has long been I think we ought to release those files and trust the American people, just like we did with the MLK files and the JFK files,” Hawley said.
Paul, meanwhile, has increasingly clashed with the Trump administration over tariffs, foreign policy, and civil liberties. He recently blasted Vice President JD Vance for calling military strikes on alleged drug traffickers “the highest and best use of our military.”
Tensions with Trump
The vote forces Republicans to go on record on an issue they have largely sidestepped. The White House has fought efforts to release the Epstein documents, as Trump faces renewed scrutiny over his past ties to the disgraced financier.
Last week, the House Oversight Committee released a batch of documents obtained from Epstein’s estate, including a note allegedly signed by Trump for Epstein’s 50th birthday. Trump has denied writing the note, calling it “fake” and suing The Wall Street Journal for reporting on it. “I don’t comment on something that’s a dead issue,” Trump told NBC News Tuesday.
House Momentum Builds
In the House, momentum is shifting toward disclosure. A bipartisan discharge petition, spearheaded by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., now has 216 signatures — just two shy of the 218 needed to force a floor vote. With two Democratic special election victories expected this month, passage looks likely.
Massie said he expects broad support once the measure reaches the floor. “We’re going to get there anyways,” he said. “You might as well be on the right side of history.”
He added that an overwhelming House vote would increase pressure on the Senate to follow suit. “Even if it passes with simple majorities in both chambers, that’s a really hard veto for the president to make — especially given his personal connection to Jeffrey Epstein,” Massie said.
What Comes Next
The defense bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, is expected to remain on the Senate floor into next week. Schumer’s gambit underscored the political potency of the Epstein issue, ensuring that every senator is now on record over the release of the files.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., dismissed Schumer’s move as a “political stunt” and a “hostile act.” But with bipartisan pressure mounting in the House, the fight over the Epstein files is far from over.
