WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined every Senate Democrat in calling on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to immediately bring the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act to the Senate floor for a vote, without delay or unnecessary process distractions. The Senators’ letter follows the U.S. House of Representatives’ overwhelming bipartisan approval of the measure by a vote of 427-1 earlier this afternoon.
For more than two decades, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have sought justice and accountability for his alleged sexual crimes involving underage girls. The bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation cosponsored by Senator Welch, would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release all documents and records related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, ensuring transparency and providing the American people with access to critical information.
“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.”
“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,” the Senators continued.
In a social media post over the weekend, President Donald Trump abruptly changed course and encouraged House Republicans to vote for the bill, despite having tried for months to prevent the complete release of the files. Given longstanding efforts by President Trump and his Administration to slow walk or discourage the release of these files, the Senate must take action to provide transparency and help restore the public’s trust.
“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.”
The letter was led by Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Ranking Member of the Budget Committee Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).
Joining Senators Welch, Peters, Schumer, Durbin and Merkley in sending the letter were Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Read and download the full text of the Senators’ letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
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