Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made a rare and bold move on Wednesday by filing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that will force Republicans to vote on releasing all Jeffrey Epstein files. The New York Democrat took the unusual step of filing cloture on his amendment, guaranteeing a full Senate vote on the matter. This procedural move traditionally is only made by majority party leaders, making Schumer’s action particularly striking.
The amendment would require Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all Justice Department files related to Epstein within 30 days of passage. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the move a “political stunt” and said Republicans would “dispose of it.” A Republican source told reporters that Schumer’s surprise filing was seen as “an extremely hostile act” that could hurt bipartisan talks on the defense bill.
Schumer’s push comes after the House Oversight Committee released documents from Epstein’s estate, including a controversial birthday card allegedly signed by President Trump. “There’s been so much lying, obfuscation, cover-ups,” Schumer said, according to Fox News. “The American people need to see everything that’s in the Epstein files. And my amendment would make that happen.” The senator specifically accused Trump of lying about the birthday card, which features a hand-drawn outline of a woman and Trump’s signature, along with the message “may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Republicans scramble to block Senate vote on Epstein files
The amendment mirrors efforts in the House by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, who are pushing a discharge petition to force a similar vote. Massie and Khanna need 218 signatures to bypass Republican leadership, and they say they are close to reaching that goal. The White House has been working to stop the discharge petition, calling support for it a “hostile act” toward the Trump administration.
BREAKING NEWS: I just filed an amendment on the Senate Floor to REQUIRE the Attorney General to release the Epstein files.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 10, 2025
Republicans will HAVE TO vote on it. We’re going to keep fighting until these files are released. pic.twitter.com/bHFGNnuk3T
Trump has tried to distance himself from the Epstein controversy, calling it a “hoax” and claiming he doesn’t understand public interest in the case. However, the birthday card revelation has renewed focus on his past friendship with the convicted sex offender. The White House strongly denies that Trump signed the card or drew the picture, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling it “fake news.”
DONALD “SIGNED THAT EPSTEIN BIRTHDAY LETTER” TRUMP IS LYING TO YOU. pic.twitter.com/96DybO082H
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 9, 2025
Schumer took advantage of Republicans not immediately filling the “amendment tree” on the defense bill, which would have blocked his ability to offer amendments. His surprise move caught Republican leadership off guard during what they thought were routine bipartisan negotiations. The Senate will need 60 votes to proceed with Schumer’s amendment, meaning at least 15 Republicans would need to join all Democrats.The controversy has divided Republicans, with some supporting transparency while others worry about protecting victims’ privacy. Even some MAGA supporters have called for full release of the files, saying the truth should come out regardless of who it implicates. The Department of Justice has already released thousands of pages to Congress, but critics say much information remains redacted or hidden from public view.
