Peters, Schumer, Durbin and Merkley Lead Democratic Colleagues in Calling on Leader Thune to Rapidly Convey the Epstein Files Transparency Act to Flooring for Vote

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, led their Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to right away carry the Epstein Files Transparency Act to the Senate flooring for a vote, immediately or pointless course of distractions. Their letter follows the U.S. House of Representatives’ overwhelming bipartisan approval of the measure by a vote of 427-1. For twenty years, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have sought justice and accountability for his alleged sexual crimes involving underage women. The bipartisan laws would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch all paperwork and data associated to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, making certain transparency and offering the American folks with entry to crucial info. 

“The victims of Jeffrey Epstein – and the American people – deserve answers, accountability and the truth,” wrote the senators. “So far, they have only seen empty promises from President Trump and his Administration. Now that a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives has acted to provide transparency on this matter – we call on you to quickly hold a vote in the U.S. Senate to help deliver the accountability that was promised and that so many Americans are demanding.”  

In July, Peters and Democratic committee colleagues pushed the DOJ to show over the Epstein recordsdata by citing their authority below 5 U.S.C §2954. This legislation requires govt businesses to submit requested info to the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that falls throughout the Committee’s oversight jurisdiction of the federal authorities. That letter was adopted up with one other in August which as soon as once more demanded for DOJ to show over the recordsdata. The Trump Administration refused to adjust to each of those requests. 

“Despite multiple Senate oversight requests and House subpoenas for release of the full and complete Epstein files, the DOJ and FBI have refused to produce any information to the Senate and have failed to provide the complete set of files to the House,” wrote the senators.  

In a social media publish over the weekend, President Donald J. Trump abruptly modified course and inspired House Republicans to vote for the invoice, regardless of having tried for months to forestall the entire launch of the recordsdata. Given longstanding efforts by President Trump and his Administration to sluggish stroll or discourage the discharge of those recordsdata, the Senate should take motion to supply transparency and assist restore the general public’s belief. 

“The U.S. Senate has the chance to show strong leadership and swiftly pass this legislation,” concluded the senators. “We urge you to promptly proceed to the consideration of H.R. 4405 on the Senate floor pursuant to Senate Rule XIV, so that the legislation can be immediately placed on the Senate Calendar.”  

Joining Peters, Schumer, Durbin and Merkley in sending the letter have been U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). 

The full textual content of the letter is obtainable here.

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