Epstein files bill officially passes in Senate, sending it to Trump

A bill forcing the Department of Justice to release its files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein officially passed both chambers of Congress on Wednesday, sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.

The bipartisan bill, which the House approved on Tuesday, passed immediately when it was sent to the Senate on Wednesday morning.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had secured a unanimous consent agreement, which allowed the legislation to sail through the upper chamber as soon as it was received.

Trump said Monday that he would sign the bill, which would release all the DOJ’s unclassified records relating to Epstein and his convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, among other information.

It was unclear exactly when Trump would sign the measure. The president plans to review the bill as soon as he receives it, a senior White House official told NBC News Wednesday morning.

The legislation received overwhelming support in the House, with all but one lawmaker, Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana, voting for it on Tuesday.

Trump on Sunday night urged his GOP allies to back the measure, a major shift in his stance that reflected the bill’s growing momentum in Congress.

But the president has continued to fume about the focus on Epstein, calling it a “hoax” being pushed by Democrats to distract from his administration’s achievements.

He has repeatedly lashed out when asked about his connections to the late financer, who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges. Trump and Epstein were friends, but the two had a falling out years before his death.

When an ABC News reporter asked Tuesday why he has not released the Epstein files on his own, Trump insulted her and called for ABC’s broadcast license to be revoked.

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.

This is developing news. Please check back for updates.