US Senate unanimously approves bill to force release of Epstein files

WASHINGTON

The US Senate on Tuesday cleared, by unanimous consent, a House-approved measure directing the Justice Department to disclose all unclassified records tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer secured unanimous consent to clear the Epstein Files Transparency Act as soon as it arrived from the House, just hours after the lower chamber approved it in a 427–1 vote.

"The Senate has now passed the Epstein bill as soon as it comes over from the House," Schumer told the Senate floor.

The bill now heads to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.

Before the approval, Trump dismissed concerns over the timing of Senate action on the House-passed bill, saying he is unconcerned about when the upper chamber chooses to move forward as long as Republicans remain focused on what he described as a string of recent policy wins.

"I don’t care when the Senate passes the House Bill, whether tonight, or at some other time in the near future. I just don’t want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that we’ve had," he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

It is not immediately clear when Trump will sign the bill.

Epstein was found dead in his New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. He had previously pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2008 of procuring a minor for prostitution.

His survivors have demanded accountability and legal support to face their abusers and achieve justice.