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demmiblue

(38,962 posts)
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 05:44 PM 13 hrs ago

Senate suddenly passes the Epstein bill just hours after it cleared the House

Source: MS NOW

Hours after the House overwhelmingly passed a bill to force the release of files related to the Justice Department’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the Senate quickly moved to pass the legislation by unanimous consent, sending the bill to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.

Speaking on the Senate floor shortly after 5 p.m., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was able to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act using unanimous consent — a process where a senator asks the chamber to disregard normal Senate rules and speedily act.

The move was so immediate that the Senate hadn’t even received the bill. (Schumer took the unusual step of asking that, once the Senate actually gets the bill from the House, the legislation be deemed as passed.)

The sudden move to pass the bill in the Senate caps off a chaotic legislative process where Republicans spent months trying to deny Democrats a vote on the bill. In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was forced to give the legislation a vote only after four Republicans joined all Democrats on a discharge petition. And after Republicans spent months trying to prevent a vote, they suddenly supported the legislation as soon as Democrats reached the magic threshold for the discharge petition.

Read more: https://www.ms.now/news/senate-passes-epstein-bill-rcna244723

60 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Senate suddenly passes the Epstein bill just hours after it cleared the House (Original Post) demmiblue 13 hrs ago OP
I still don't believe TSF will actually sign it...under investigation or some other wacked out excuse... wcmagumba 13 hrs ago #1
Veto it? He might and with the same vote, that veto will be over ridden. He's not getting to skip his tine in the barrel marble falls 12 hrs ago #2
I hope you are right.... wcmagumba 12 hrs ago #4
Oh, that's right. They have the votes to override it. ananda 11 hrs ago #25
he may sign the bill or pocket veto the damn thing rampartd 11 hrs ago #35
I wouldn't be surprised if the republicans who were C Moon 11 hrs ago #40
Wouldn't it look particularly ridiculous to veto something... 3catwoman3 8 hrs ago #57
Oh i'm sure he will!! bluestarone 12 hrs ago #5
True, but it's a horrible look and will add to the undermining of Trump's standing among all but his core. TheRickles 12 hrs ago #8
Trump has been cornered into a lose-lose position Random Boomer 11 hrs ago #24
Why do you say sunk? Gordcanuck 10 hrs ago #50
This bill was craftily written TexLaProgressive 11 hrs ago #31
I agree.. Born Free 9 hrs ago #55
I think they can override it this time. Demsrule86 12 hrs ago #9
He might not but as it stands, it will become law even without Trumps signiture because riversedge 12 hrs ago #14
Well, next step anyway. Stand by for further drmphf obstruction. Leaks, please! electric_blue68 12 hrs ago #3
Senators don't want to have their votes on the record? IronLionZion 12 hrs ago #6
Doesn't surprise me. I'm surprised the house bluestarone 12 hrs ago #12
Clay Higgons is on record as the only one voting against it IronLionZion 12 hrs ago #15
I give Clay Higgins credit. As despicable a person as he is Wiz Imp 11 hrs ago #34
I want their votes on record. doublethink 12 hrs ago #7
Actually it does. Wiz Imp 11 hrs ago #37
I think we might just get a veto proof bill... Demsrule86 12 hrs ago #10
and then a scrubbed file SamuelTheThird 12 hrs ago #17
There's too many people who know what are in the files Tribetime 11 hrs ago #36
There's still the Epstein family and what they have. Joinfortmill 11 hrs ago #41
There is much going on here behind the scenes, IMHO. Who is talking to survivors and wiggs 12 hrs ago #11
It's been a helluva day for the felon. Now comes his and Bondi's big tell. It's all on them. ancianita 12 hrs ago #13
"The trump era might be ending." calimary 5 hrs ago #58
Right? ancianita 3 hrs ago #59
Will Trump soon receive a visit from top Mepublicans callous taoboy 46 min ago #60
Show us how much money is being spent on any purported ongoing investigation dickthegrouch 12 hrs ago #16
All investigations have been stopped when pedo the felon fired Comey's daughter. Justice matters. 11 hrs ago #39
Reminder: Trump Apparently Could Have Authorized the Complete Release With or Without Strings, At Any Time! The Roux Comes First 12 hrs ago #18
Exactly! Wiz Imp 11 hrs ago #38
He still could this very minute. Justice matters. 11 hrs ago #42
So if he doesn't sign it will it become law anyway? Or will that be a pocket veto and it stops the bill? Botany 12 hrs ago #19
That internet rumor has been proven 100% FALSE Wiz Imp 11 hrs ago #43
So if Mike Johnson adjourns the house for the year by November 27 then the bill is blocked? Botany 10 hrs ago #47
He doesn't even have to adjourn for the year. Wiz Imp 10 hrs ago #48
Anybody with a scintilla of a brain can see that Trump is way way way deep into the Epstein/Putin/Trump ... Botany 10 hrs ago #49
I'm confident that attempts to "scrub" the files will not work Wiz Imp 10 hrs ago #53
If TSF doesn't sign the bill... WestMichRad 10 hrs ago #46
Outside of cheating and dirty media, the real culprit was sick, racist and misogynist voters. MLAA 10 hrs ago #51
Wow! I didn't see that coming! I thought they'd stall for months and months Warpy 12 hrs ago #20
All we know for sure is Sneederbunk 12 hrs ago #21
This is all a setup AverageOldGuy 12 hrs ago #22
Yes, of course, but he's not fooling anyone else than his 33% rabid cultists. Justice matters. 11 hrs ago #44
I hope nobody is expecting to see any info related to Trump in the files. Nt Fiendish Thingy 11 hrs ago #23
Good for Schumer! mcar 11 hrs ago #26
Unanimous consent decreed - the Senate didn't even have time to vote FakeNoose 11 hrs ago #27
More proof they've been scrubbed clean. Come on Mark Epstein, give us whatever you have. Scrivener7 11 hrs ago #28
Hot potato bucolic_frolic 11 hrs ago #29
I expect we'll find out that during Sunday brunch somebody Turbineguy 11 hrs ago #30
Or leaked them! TheRickles 11 hrs ago #33
This is just the beginning popsdenver 11 hrs ago #32
Four hundred reams of blank paper. The end. twodogsbarking 11 hrs ago #45
The fix is in. choie 10 hrs ago #52
Maybe the GOP will try to claim tRump isn't a republican next. nt BootinUp 10 hrs ago #54
Void the Victim's NDAs Remball 9 hrs ago #56

wcmagumba

(5,198 posts)
1. I still don't believe TSF will actually sign it...under investigation or some other wacked out excuse...
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 05:48 PM
13 hrs ago

marble falls

(69,427 posts)
2. Veto it? He might and with the same vote, that veto will be over ridden. He's not getting to skip his tine in the barrel
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 05:53 PM
12 hrs ago

rampartd

(3,087 posts)
35. he may sign the bill or pocket veto the damn thing
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:31 PM
11 hrs ago

he may even release a trillion pages of nonsense

but i dont think we are going to see who epstein's clients are.

C Moon

(13,337 posts)
40. I wouldn't be surprised if the republicans who were
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:35 PM
11 hrs ago

against the bill, refused to override. Then say, “you had your vote Democrats. End of story.”

3catwoman3

(28,165 posts)
57. Wouldn't it look particularly ridiculous to veto something...
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 09:52 PM
8 hrs ago

... that he just told them to do?

bluestarone

(20,821 posts)
5. Oh i'm sure he will!!
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:01 PM
12 hrs ago

Their plan is Bondi. She will refuse to do it, because on going investigation. No doubt about that, in my thinking.

TheRickles

(3,077 posts)
8. True, but it's a horrible look and will add to the undermining of Trump's standing among all but his core.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:10 PM
12 hrs ago

Random Boomer

(4,372 posts)
24. Trump has been cornered into a lose-lose position
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:55 PM
11 hrs ago

If he vetoes, he's now flipped on his supposed support of the bill, which was itself a flip on opposing the bill. He would look ridiculous, and more to the point, patently guilty.

And if he signs it, he's sunk.

Gordcanuck

(144 posts)
50. Why do you say sunk?
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 08:09 PM
10 hrs ago

Even if he does sign off and the files are released, the content is but a fraction (1%est.) of all available. The rest in DOJ hands are hot potatoes for other actors and will be withheld.
The incriminating docs on Trumpy are already in the hands of Epstein’s victims’ counsel who got them from his estate, quite willingly.
And they’re going to surface Buckle up, the real public sinking is coming soon!

TexLaProgressive

(12,629 posts)
31. This bill was craftily written
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:15 PM
11 hrs ago

&quot C) would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary;"
That means that only those parts involving the investigations of democratic persons. Narrowly tailored and temporary. All others must be disclosed in full. I think this is why Massie (R KY) told the Senate "Don't muck it up!"
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4405/text
Copy and paste of my earlier post

Born Free

(1,650 posts)
55. I agree..
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 08:55 PM
9 hrs ago

Perhaps they can do another discharge petition, this time for a truly independent counsel to investigate and make sure all are held accountable. Trumps DOJ can not be trusted, the only way to get to the truth, including who knew and when did they know and who was involved with covering it up.

riversedge

(78,881 posts)
14. He might not but as it stands, it will become law even without Trumps signiture because
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:23 PM
12 hrs ago

it is veto proof. Hope I got that right. Correct me if not.

IronLionZion

(50,377 posts)
6. Senators don't want to have their votes on the record?
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:01 PM
12 hrs ago

interesting that they used unanimous consent instead of voting

Lots of magical things going on with this. hmm...

IronLionZion

(50,377 posts)
15. Clay Higgons is on record as the only one voting against it
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:26 PM
12 hrs ago

that could come back to bite him

2 GOP and 3 Dems abstained

Wiz Imp

(8,230 posts)
34. I give Clay Higgins credit. As despicable a person as he is
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:30 PM
11 hrs ago

he is the only Republican (except for the 4 who signed the discharge petition) who cast an honest vote on the bill. The rest of the Republicans already demonstrated they didn't honestly support the bill because they didn't sign the discharge petition. Theoretically, there could be a couple GOP Senators who legitimately supported it, but I'm not aware of anyone who came out publicly in support until the past day or two.

In a weird way, I think this helps prove that a large purpose of the shutdown as far as Republicans were concerned was to avoid releasing the Epstein files. The fact that all Republicans but 1 between the House and Senate combined were willing to vote against a bill they clearly didn't support, shows how terrified they were of the consequences of voting against it and being labeled a pedophile protector.

Based on info that has leaked, many if not all are well aware of how damning and disgusting some of the material in the files is.

Wiz Imp

(8,230 posts)
37. Actually it does.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:32 PM
11 hrs ago

If it were to be vetoed, they'd have to vote again to override the veto, but since no Republicans were willing to vote against it today, it would look even worse for them if they voted NO on overriding the veto.

Tribetime

(6,975 posts)
36. There's too many people who know what are in the files
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:31 PM
11 hrs ago

And if something is blacked or hidden , they know what it is , so the truth will come out

wiggs

(8,570 posts)
11. There is much going on here behind the scenes, IMHO. Who is talking to survivors and
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:13 PM
12 hrs ago

their attorneys? Does the WH know what the survivors are planning on doing, what the survivors know? Are there DOJ/FBI whistleblowers? Are there former Biden DOJ officials who know exactly what is in the files? What kinds of pressure are they receiving that is forcing this stance by congress to do something/anything? And what guarantees do they have that this will turn out OK for the GOP and WH? What we are seeing must be part of some serious crisis management team with a plan? I'm aware of the Epstein/dem investigation tactic but that could be a slender reed that may ultimately fail, maybe legally but certainly politically.

I still don't think they'll release any report detrimental to the WH (inc Epstein, but also climate, economy, immigration, etc). If they do release something halfway suspect, it's because the unredacted, unclassified, original files are much worse than what's released.

ancianita

(42,635 posts)
13. It's been a helluva day for the felon. Now comes his and Bondi's big tell. It's all on them.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:22 PM
12 hrs ago

As Ari and Alex just said, "the Trump era might be ending."

calimary

(88,545 posts)
58. "The trump era might be ending."
Wed Nov 19, 2025, 01:28 AM
5 hrs ago

Oh, MAN! Be still my heart!

It would be truly lovely never to have to hear another word about that orange weasel.

callous taoboy

(4,753 posts)
60. Will Trump soon receive a visit from top Mepublicans
Wed Nov 19, 2025, 06:05 AM
46 min ago

telling him it is over? Things are moving so fast. To have this bill pass the Senate by unanimous consent before it is even sent over.... WOW!

Of course, we all know who we’re dealing with, so I still impulsively tamp down my own hopes.

dickthegrouch

(4,176 posts)
16. Show us how much money is being spent on any purported ongoing investigation
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:27 PM
12 hrs ago

I want employee counts, time spent, which pages they are working on, everything that might otherwise be used by a law firm to justify its billing.
I thought all investigations had been stopped in January. *IF* there's ongoing one (that wasn't just started by Rump into supposed dem transgressions, which is also OK but only the investigation into the current powers that be are of any relevance here), I want proof (as will the court, if it's anywhere close to maintaining its integrity).

Justice matters.

(9,128 posts)
39. All investigations have been stopped when pedo the felon fired Comey's daughter.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:35 PM
11 hrs ago

And bondi closed the files saying there was no there there to indict non-indicted subjects.

That was in July or June. But now, she will obey pedo the felon's order to investigate the Dems (Clinton & Co).

But since she stated that no other charges were necessary in July, she will have to justify her statements back then.

The Roux Comes First

(1,987 posts)
18. Reminder: Trump Apparently Could Have Authorized the Complete Release With or Without Strings, At Any Time!
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:33 PM
12 hrs ago

Botany

(75,896 posts)
19. So if he doesn't sign it will it become law anyway? Or will that be a pocket veto and it stops the bill?
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:40 PM
12 hrs ago

And why in the world did a man with such a long, public, and immense record of sex crimes against
young girls (100% internet rumor is that in the 1990s Trump paid off 2 boys for sex crimes he had
committed against them) ever become President? Outside of cheating and a dirty media.

Wiz Imp

(8,230 posts)
43. That internet rumor has been proven 100% FALSE
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:39 PM
11 hrs ago

There are 2 scenarios for if Trump doesn't sign it.
1)Becomes law without signature (Congress in session): If the President does not sign or veto the bill within 10 days (excluding Sundays) of it being presented to him, it automatically becomes law, provided that Congress is still in session at that time.
2)Does not become law (Pocket Veto): If Congress adjourns its session before the 10-day period expires and the President has not signed the bill, it does not become law. This action is known as a pocket veto, and it cannot be overridden by Congress.

Botany

(75,896 posts)
47. So if Mike Johnson adjourns the house for the year by November 27 then the bill is blocked?
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:57 PM
10 hrs ago

Thanks for the information.

Wiz Imp

(8,230 posts)
48. He doesn't even have to adjourn for the year.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 08:00 PM
10 hrs ago

Just an adjournment for the Holiday I think qualifies. Of course, Trump can sign it at anytime before the adjournment, but if he doesn't, then the bill is dead.

Botany

(75,896 posts)
49. Anybody with a scintilla of a brain can see that Trump is way way way deep into the Epstein/Putin/Trump ...
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 08:09 PM
10 hrs ago

…. international child sex trafficking ring just with his beauty pageants and modeling try outs in
order to recruit new girls for “the biz” and that Mike “Grindr” Johnson is trying to protect Trump
from being held accountable for his actions. Either that or the files that will be released have been
scrubbed clean.

Wiz Imp

(8,230 posts)
53. I'm confident that attempts to "scrub" the files will not work
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 08:45 PM
10 hrs ago

Last edited Tue Nov 18, 2025, 09:55 PM - Edit history (1)

There are plenty of people who have seen the files. Who knows how many people were working on the investigation under the Biden DOJ which Trump/Bondi stopped immediately upon taking office but I'm sure there were a lot of people working on it. The Biden DOJ was deciding who to charge and with what crimes. I'm sure there will be whistleblowers revealing the truth if necessary. Oh, and the bill itself details the only information that can be legitimately withheld or redacted. The only info that can be legally redacted is names and personal info of the victims. The names of any persons who had contact with Epstein that are mentioned in the files should be released. Embarrassment is not a valid reason for redaction.

(1) The Attorney general may withhold or redact the segregable portions of records that—

(A) contain personally identifiable information of victims or victims’ personal and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

(B) depict or contain child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) as defined under 18 U.S.C. 2256 and prohibited under 18 U.S.C. 2252–2252A;


(C) would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary;

(D) depict or contain images of death, physical abuse, or injury of any person; or

(E) contain information specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order.

(2) All redactions must be accompanied by a written justification published in the Federal Register and submitted to Congress.

(3) To the extent that any covered information would otherwise be redacted or withheld as classified information under this section, the Attorney General shall declassify that classified information to the maximum extent possible.

(A) If the Attorney General makes a determination that covered information may not be declassified and made available in a manner that protects the national security of the United States, including methods or sources related to national security, the Attorney General shall release an unclassified summary for each of the redacted or withheld classified information.

(4) All decisions to classify any covered information after July 1, 2025 shall be published in the Federal Register and submitted to Congress, including the date of classification, the identity of the classifying authority, and an unclassified summary of the justification.

WestMichRad

(2,800 posts)
46. If TSF doesn't sign the bill...
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:51 PM
10 hrs ago

If the President takes no action while Congress is in session, and ten days pass, the bill automatically becomes law. However, if Congress adjourns before ten days expire and the President does not sign, it becomes a “pocket veto” and cannot be overridden.

- From “How a bill becomes law…” https://legalclarity.org/how-a-bill-becomes-a-law-in-8-steps/

So Johnson and Thune have a way to f**k us over… or, more likely IMHO, the DOJ will assign some stooge to “investigate” something and they’ll prolong that process forever.

MLAA

(19,611 posts)
51. Outside of cheating and dirty media, the real culprit was sick, racist and misogynist voters.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 08:10 PM
10 hrs ago

Warpy

(114,211 posts)
20. Wow! I didn't see that coming! I thought they'd stall for months and months
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:43 PM
12 hrs ago

Ball's in his court, I guess. I'm still sort of expecting a pocket veto.

Sneederbunk

(16,990 posts)
21. All we know for sure is
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:44 PM
12 hrs ago

when TSF signs the bill, he will not be holding up the signed document for showtime.

AverageOldGuy

(3,167 posts)
22. This is all a setup
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 06:51 PM
12 hrs ago

Pam Bondi announced they DOJ is investigating Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, and other Democrats to determine their connections to Epstein. Then, immediately, Trump told Republicans to vote to release the files.

It was all a setup.

Now DOJ will respond that there is an ongoing investigation and the Epstein files are part of that investigation and, for that reason, must remain sealed.

Trump wins again.

Justice matters.

(9,128 posts)
44. Yes, of course, but he's not fooling anyone else than his 33% rabid cultists.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:40 PM
11 hrs ago

And a lot more emails are coming soon to a theatre near them...

FakeNoose

(39,529 posts)
27. Unanimous consent decreed - the Senate didn't even have time to vote
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:05 PM
11 hrs ago

Schumer set this up! I can't wait to read how he did this!

Hooray Senate! Good job Chuck Schumer!

Scrivener7

(57,864 posts)
28. More proof they've been scrubbed clean. Come on Mark Epstein, give us whatever you have.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:06 PM
11 hrs ago

Either they're scrubbed or they'll claim open investigation.

bucolic_frolic

(53,291 posts)
29. Hot potato
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:10 PM
11 hrs ago

Many of the same Republicans who voted no - twice - on impeachment.

Is something in the works, behind the scenes? This is greased lightning.

Turbineguy

(39,646 posts)
30. I expect we'll find out that during Sunday brunch somebody
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:11 PM
11 hrs ago

hacked into the DOJ and deleted the files.

popsdenver

(1,056 posts)
32. This is just the beginning
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 07:20 PM
11 hrs ago

of the Republican CABAL playing "We were victims too" card. But when WE were made aware, WE acted quickly and WE are the good guys in this whole thing, not the Dems........

In the real world, the Repubs would go the whole nine yards.....Impeach him, charge him with countless Felony crimes, find him guilty and put him in superman where he can talk to no one.........All just to make an example out of him and to win over his MAGAot cult......

Then, carry on with all they have been doing, but in the shadows, with Yes Men installed in the White House.....instead of some loud mouth psychopath constantly 'spilling" in public daily.....everything he and the entire Trump Republican CABAL and Republican Party are doing.

choie

(6,413 posts)
52. The fix is in.
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 08:34 PM
10 hrs ago

either the files have been scrubbed or the DOJ is going to claim they can't release the files because there's an ongoing investigation.

Remball

(5 posts)
56. Void the Victim's NDAs
Tue Nov 18, 2025, 09:44 PM
9 hrs ago

Why aren’t the victims giving details? NDAs perhaps? How about a bill to void any NDAs so they can speak without repercussions. Name names, places, times, and acts.

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