Topline
The Senate passed a measure Tuesday to force the release of documents linked to the Justice Department’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, sending it to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign the bill after he initially opposed the files’ release.
The Senate vote came early Tuesday evening. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
The Senate approved the measure unanimously just hours after the House greenlit the bill in a 427-1 vote.
Trump, who has characterized the files as a “Democrat hoax,” said Sunday he would sign the bill and that House Republicans should support it “because we have nothing to hide.”
The legislation passed after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., brought a unanimous consent measure and no senator objected, meaning the bill will automatically advance to Trump’s desk when the Senate receives it from the House.
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Could The Full Release Of The Epstein Files Still Be Blocked?
The bill’s full passage could be softened by a provision that says documents that “would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution” could be kept concealed. The Trump administration could use its recently launched investigation into Epstein’s ties to top Democrats as a way to stop some documents from being turned over. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed last week the Justice Department will specifically investigate ties between Epstein and former President Bill Clinton, JPMorgan Chase, Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman and economist Larry Summers. However, if the Trump administration uses the investigation to pause the release of some files, they will not be paused forever. The bill passed Tuesday says documents withheld due to investigations must be “narrowly tailored and temporary,” but it is unclear when the Justice Department investigation will end.
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Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/11/18/senate-unanimously-approves-release-of-epstein-files/
