WASHINGTON, Sep 11 (AP) — In a closely contested decision, Senate Republicans have thwarted a Democratic initiative to include a provision in Congress' annual defense authorization bill that would have mandated the public release of files related to the sex trafficking investigation involving the late Jeffrey Epstein.
The vote on Wednesday resulted in a 51-49 outcome, with Republican Senators Josh Hawley from Missouri and Rand Paul from Kentucky siding with Democrats in seeking disclosure.
For several months, Democrats have been advocating for the release of the Epstein files, utilizing every possible avenue to compel Republicans to join their call for transparency or publicly oppose an issue that resonates with many in the Republican base.
While President Donald Trump had indicated during his presidential campaign that he was amenable to a comprehensive disclosure of the case, he now dismisses the effort as a "Democrat hoax." Despite their efforts, Democrats have yet to successfully navigate Trump’s influence over congressional Republicans to secure the passage of such legislation.
“I ask my Republican colleagues, after all those years you spent calling for accountability, for transparency, for getting to the bottom of these awful crimes, why won't you vote yes?” Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Leader from New York, questioned during a floor speech on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Schumer maneuvered to force a procedural vote on language compelling the Justice Department to release the Epstein files by attempting to integrate it into an annual defense policy bill, which Congress has to pass.
As a result, Senate Republican leadership was compelled to conduct a vote to dismiss Schumer's amendment, accusing him of engaging in political gamesmanship with defense legislation often characterized by bipartisan support.
“This is not the right way to do it,” stated Sen. Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune earlier this week remarked that the Justice Department “has already released tons of files” on Epstein.
“I trust them in terms of having the confidence that they'll get as much information out there as possible in a way that protects the rights of the victims,” added Thune, R-SD.
Nonetheless, numerous individuals within the Republican base, along with some victims of Epstein's abuse, have been dissatisfied with the extent of the information released by the Justice Department thus far.
The calls for disclosure of Epstein’s case have, at times, dominated congressional activity, overshadowing politics even more significantly than when Epstein committed suicide in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of underage girls.
The case emerged more than a decade after he confidentially negotiated a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to settle nearly identical allegations. Epstein was accused of compensating underage girls with hundreds of dollars in cash for massages before molesting them.
When questioned by reporters on Wednesday regarding why Democrats hadn't pursued disclosure while controlling the White House, Schumer replied, “It's become so apparent that they're lying about it in every different way and the demands of the American people are so great.”
“The need is greater than ever now,” he added.
Meanwhile, a separate initiative to compel a vote on a similar bill in the House is gradually progressing.
Democrats secured an additional House seat when Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va, was sworn into office following a special election victory this week. This development provides them with another supporter for a procedure known as a discharge petition, which could potentially circumvent Republican leadership’s control of the House floor and prompt a vote on legislation to compel the Justice Department to release the Epstein files.
With four Republicans having also endorsed the discharge petition, it is just one signature short of the backing needed to potentially trigger a vote. That milestone could be achieved by the end of this month, as a heavily Democratic congressional district in Arizona is set to hold a special election to fill a vacant seat. (AP) NPK NPK
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