Senate Sends Epstein Files Bill to Trump’s Desk After Unanimous Vote/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Senate unanimously passed a bill requiring the DOJ to release all unclassified Jeffrey Epstein files. The bipartisan legislation now heads to President Trump, who has pledged to sign it. The bill mandates file release within 30 days, excluding only victims’ identities and active investigations.
Quick Look:
- Bill Summary: The measure mandates that within 30 days of becoming law, the DOJ must publish all unclassified documents, emails, communications, and investigatory files related to Epstein and Maxwell in a searchable and downloadable format.
- Scope of Release: Files concerning victims and ongoing investigations can be redacted, but politically sensitive content or documents that may cause embarrassment cannot be withheld for those reasons alone.
- Sponsors: Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA).
- Senate Passage: Passed without objection or amendment via unanimous consent.
Senate Sends Epstein Files Bill to Trump’s Desk After Unanimous Vote
Deep Look
The U.S. Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to pass a landmark resolution requiring the Department of Justice to publicly release all unclassified records tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for final approval after receiving overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress.
The bill’s journey began months ago with intense political friction, especially in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson initially stalled a vote. Trump himself initially labeled the push as a “Democrat hoax” meant to undercut GOP success. However, growing bipartisan momentum — and pressure from Epstein’s survivors — forced a dramatic reversal.
President Trump signaled his support over the weekend, promising to sign the legislation if it reached his desk. His public shift cleared the path for rapid movement in the Senate, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) opting not to amend the bill despite earlier GOP concerns about protecting victim identities.
“I think when a bill comes out of the House 427 to one, and the president said he’d sign it, I’m not sure that amending it is in the cards,” Thune told reporters.
Schumer Pushes Swift Action
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the charge for an immediate vote, warning Republicans not to “bury the bill in committee” or introduce delays that would force it back to the House. He declared that the public and victims deserved “full and immediate transparency.”
“Any amendment to this bill would risk further delay. Who knows what would happen over there?” Schumer warned, referencing previous Republican efforts to stall the legislation.
Political Firestorm and Public Pressure
What began as a slow-moving, contentious issue turned into one of the rare bipartisan moments of unity on Capitol Hill. Months of advocacy from Epstein’s victims, protests outside the Capitol, and media scrutiny amplified public demand for action.
House Republicans had earlier expressed concern that naming names from the Epstein files could expose private individuals unfairly. Still, the final bill provides for protective redactions only for victims and active investigations, not public figures.
Despite initial resistance, Speaker Johnson eventually supported the bill after significant pressure from within the party and Trump’s pivot.
Trump’s Mixed Messaging
While Trump ultimately endorsed the bill, his rhetoric remained defiant. Speaking from the Oval Office earlier this week, he lashed out at reporters for pressing him on Epstein’s ties to high-profile individuals, calling one ABC News journalist “fake news.”
“Nobody cared about Jeffrey Epstein when he was alive,” Trump said on Truth Social. “If Democrats had anything, they’d have released it before our landslide victory.”
Nevertheless, he confirmed he would sign the bill, calling the effort a win for “transparency and accountability.”
Next Steps
With full congressional approval, the bill now awaits Trump’s signature, which is expected before the Thanksgiving recess. Once signed, the DOJ must release the Epstein files within 30 days.
Victims and transparency advocates hailed the Senate’s decision as a major step toward justice and government accountability.
“This is long overdue,” said co-sponsor Rep. Ro Khanna, “but we finally have a united government response to one of the most egregious failures of justice in modern American history.”
Quick Recap:
- Bill: Requires full public release of Epstein/Maxwell-related DOJ files.
- Passed House: 427-1
- Passed Senate: Unanimously, no amendments.
- Next Step: Heads to Trump for signature.
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