{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/us-senate-passes-bill-to-compel-the-release-of-epstein-files", "U.S. Senate Passes Bill to Compel the Release of Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "RI", "Jack Reed", "R000122", "www.reed.senate.gov", "jackreed", "https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, after bucking a months-long pressure campaign by President Donald Trump and partisan maneuvering by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to try and delay the release of the \u201cEpstein files,\u201d the U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation to direct U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his associate and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, and any communications regarding those cases. The bill, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, previously passed the U.S House of Representatives by a vote of 427-1. The measure now goes to President Trump\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\nThirty days after the bill becomes law, all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation are to be released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ has leeway to withhold or redact personal information about victims, explicit depictions of child abuse, anything jeopardizing a federal investigation, depictions of death or injury, and information properly classified to protect national security. However, within 15 days of the initial release of the files, DOJ must provide Congress a full list of all materials released and withheld, as well as a comprehensive report on any redactions, and a list of all government officials and \u201cpolitically exposed persons\u201d named in the materials.\n\nU.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a supporter of releasing the Epstein files, warned that this is not the end of the battle to transparently release the files, stating:\n\n\u201cThis was a positive step toward justice. But it\u2019s still an uphill climb to transparently provide the American people with facts, ensure justice for the victims, and hold the perpetrators, accomplices, and enablers accountable.\n\n\u201cThe Epstein scandal is about the getting justice and full disclosure for the survivors of Epstein\u2019s child sex trafficking ring. We can\u2019t forget that the center of this story is dozens of women who, as young girls, were horrifically abused. They were taken advantage of by wealthy men who abused their power. And, to make matters worse, Epstein was given a sweetheart deal by a now-disgraced U.S. Attorney who went on to serve in President Trump\u2019s cabinet.\n\n\u201cThe American people are not going to tolerate it if the Trump Administration tries to play partisan games to withhold key information and leave Epstein\u2019s victims in the dark once again.\n\n\u201cAmericans saw Attorney General Bondi wildly backtrack on her promise of transparency when it comes to the Epstein files. They know President Trump spent months resisting calls to release these documents. They see Ms. Maxwell is being given unexplained preferential treatment in prison and President Trump dangling a pardon for her. They\u2019ve read emails suggesting Donald Trump could have had more detailed knowledge and involvement than previously known. They\u2019ve seen the disturbing birthday card image presented to Mr. Epstein with Trump\u2019s signature \u2013 that he claims is not his \u2013 and a message that references a \u201cwonderful secret\u201d and their long friendship. Now is the time to unravel the web of secrets related to this case.\n\n\u201cIt is no coincidence President Trump recently ordered a fresh Epstein investigation to look into former President Clinton and others. This will undoubtedly be used to claim cover of an \u2018active investigation\u2019 as an excuse to withhold evidence. Lawmakers must not allow partisan games to coverup the crimes of rich and influential men or allow them to use their wealth and political influence to avoid accountability.\n\n\u201cI will continue working to ensure the Epstein files are released in their entirety. No one is above the law. Mr. Epstein is dead. Ms. Maxwell was sentenced to twenty years for perpetrating heinous crimes against children. It\u2019s long past time for Americans to know the full truth.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/us-senate-passes-bill-to-compel-the-release-of-epstein-files"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9080297313630581, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}