Senate Narrowly Defeats Effort to Force
Senate Blocks Epstein Records Amendment
Senate Republicans narrowly voted 51–49 to block an amendment requiring the Justice Department to release Jeffrey Epstein-related files,
after a surprise move by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer caught them off guard.
“It’s a political stunt and we’ll dispose of it,” said GOP Leader John Thune.
GOP Divisions on Transparency
Some Republicans broke ranks.
Sen. Josh Hawley said, “My position has long been I think we ought to release those files and trust the American people.”
Sen. Rand Paul also opposed tabling the measure.
Several GOP senators expressed support for “transparency” but followed leadership in voting to table.
Schumer’s Tactical Surprise
Schumer bypassed normal procedures to force a vote.
“If Republicans vote no, they’ll be saying to the American people you should not see the Epstein files,” he argued.
Fallout and Frustration
Sen. John Kennedy criticized leadership strategy: “I don’t know why we left the spot open on the tree.
But we did and Schumer jumped on it like wet on water.”
