Senate Judiciary Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment Thursday aimed at compelling the Justice Department to release files related to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The move was strongly criticized on social media, including by Democratic lawmakers.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on X: "House Republicans ran out of town on the Epstein Recess. Senate Republicans are rushing to block the files from being released."
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"Anyone who defends or protects pedophiles is unfit to serve the American people. The Republican Party needs to release the Epstein files or COLLECTIVELY RESIGN THEIR ENTIRE PARTY. We aren’t EVER going to drop this," wrote a user.
Moments before the vote, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said in an X post: "I'm on my way to the Senate floor to demand the release of the Epstein files... AGAIN. Last week, Republicans blocked it. Let’s see if they’ll do it again. The American people deserve the truth. Any Senator who stands in the way is part of the cover-up."
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote on X: "Senate Judiciary Republicans just BLOCKED an amendment to force the release of the Epstein files. Senate Judiciary Democrats voted on the side of truth and transparency. This is a vote that the American people should never forget—and we will not let it be forgotten."
Senate Judiciary Democrats' official X account said: "Every single Senate Judiciary Republican just voted to BLOCK the release of the Epstein files. They’re siding with Donald Trump and rich pedophiles—not YOU or Epstein’s victims."
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On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) abruptly sent members home one day earlier than planned, starting the August recess on Wednesday, citing a need to allow the administration space to voluntarily release Epstein-related files. Johnson denied any floor votes on transparency measures.
Critics warned the move was a political dodge aimed at avoiding votes on bipartisan efforts to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell and force full disclosure of DOJ documents related to Epstein.