Two GOP senators back Schumer’s push to release Epstein records

Two Republican senators broke ranks with their party leadership this week by siding with Democrats on a proposal to make public unclassified documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Hill reported that Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Rand Paul of Kentucky supported an amendment from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer directing the Department of Justice to release the files, a move that underscored ongoing rifts within the Republican caucus and a push for transparency from some lawmakers and the public.

The vote came as part of debate over the annual National Defense Authorization Act, a sweeping military funding package that often becomes a vehicle for unrelated amendments. Schumer’s measure sought to compel federal officials to disclose information that has long been the subject of speculation and calls for openness.

Divisions Emerge Among Republicans

Most GOP senators voted against Schumer’s proposal by choosing to table it, reflecting a preference for party unity on procedural matters. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina was among those opposed, saying the amendment would likely have been removed later in negotiations.

Tillis explained his position as rooted in process, not substance. “At the end of the day, it was a procedural vote because it would have been stripped out,” he said, adding that if there were a binding amendment with legal effect, he would have supported disclosure.

In contrast, Hawley emphasized that the question was straightforward and substantive. “The substance is what it is. It’s a vote on do you release the Epstein files or not,” he said after casting his vote in favor.

Calls for Transparency Gain Momentum

Hawley has been consistent in urging that the records be made available. He compared the situation to earlier releases of files related to Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy, arguing the public should be trusted with the truth.

He also aligned his remarks with prior comments from President Biden, who previously said he believed the attorney general should release all documents not deemed classified. Hawley said he agreed with that position and wanted to see it carried out.

Schumer, the sponsor of the amendment, used the vote to challenge Republicans directly. “If Republicans vote no, they’ll be saying the American people should not see the Epstein files,” he said, pressing his colleagues to support disclosure.

House Lawmakers Push Parallel Efforts

While the Senate clash drew attention, momentum is also building in the House of Representatives. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, and Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, are spearheading similar legislation there.

The bipartisan partnership illustrates that the push for transparency spans both chambers of Congress and appeals to members across ideological lines. However, resistance within Republican leadership remains a barrier.

Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has been discouraging fellow Republicans from joining a discharge petition, a maneuver that would allow a floor vote despite leadership opposition. Without that support, prospects for immediate House action remain limited.

Procedural Maneuvers Shape Outcome

Part of the reason Schumer’s amendment reached the floor at all was due to Senate Minority Leader John Thune’s decision not to initially block amendments from being offered. That allowed the proposal to be considered even though Republican leaders opposed it.

The outcome revealed a tension between those who want to use the defense bill as a vehicle for unrelated but high-profile issues and those who prefer to keep it narrowly focused. In this case, only Hawley and Paul broke ranks with the broader GOP strategy.

For now, the measure’s fate is uncertain. Even if it had survived the Senate process, it faced challenges in conference negotiations and in the House, where leadership has signaled reluctance. Still, the debate has reignited public interest in long-sealed files connected to Epstein.