https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/ep ... vote-2025/
Updated on: November 18, 2025 / 7:49 PM EST / CBS News
The Senate approved a House-passed bill that would require the Justice Department to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, effectively sending it to President Trump's desk as soon as it's formally transmitted from the House to the Senate on Wednesday (Nov. 19, 2025). Mr. Trump said earlier this week he intends to sign the bill.
The bill, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, would compel the Justice Department to publicly release files related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of it being signed into law, with some exceptions for survivors' personal information and other sensitive material.
7:07 PM / November 18, 2025
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters the House is expected to formally transmit the Epstein Files Transparency Act to the Senate at some point Wednesday (Nov. 19, 2025) morning.
Once the bill reaches the Senate, it will effectively pass automatically and go to President Trump's desk, after the Senate agreed by unanimous consent Tuesday to pass the bill as soon as it's sent over from the House.
5:34 PM / November 18, 2025
The Senate will automatically pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act and send it to President Trump's desk as soon as the House can transmit it.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked for unanimous consent for the upper chamber to pass the bill as soon as it comes over from the House. There were no objections to Schumer's request.
The bill will not be amended in the Senate.
2:46 PM / November 18, 2025
House lawmakers passed a measure to compel the Justice Department to release Epstein-related materials in a near-unanimous vote Tuesday afternoon.
All Democrats and all but one Republican voted in favor. Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana was the sole Republican in opposition.