Senate may approve Epstein bill on Tuesday: Thune

Early in his administration, Attorney General Pam Bondi attempted to orchestrate the release of largely public information about the Epstein case through conservative influencers.

By Ben Whedon

Published: November 18, 2025 4:02pm

Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Tuesday indicated that he expected the Senate to approve legislation to force the release of the Epstein files after the House approved the measure almost unanimously.

“My assumption is the president sounds like he’s prepared to sign it,” Thune said of President Donald Trump, Politico reported. “So I’d assume it would move fairly quickly over here.”

The House on Tuesday approved the measure in a 427-1 vote, with only Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., opposing it. Trump has long insisted that the Epstein matter was a hoax, though he campaigned on releasing a so-called "client list" of powerful people to whom Jeffrey Epstein allegedly trafficked young women.

Early in his administration, Attorney General Pam Bondi attempted to orchestrate the release of largely public information about the Epstein case through conservative influencers. The episode led to a PR debacle and the administration has since lost support on its handling of the matter.

Prior to the vote, Trump signaled his approval to Republican lawmakers to support the matter. Though Trump opposed continued exploration of the issue, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., secured enough support for a discharge petition to force a vote.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.