Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is holding firm on his and Senate Democrats' blockade of President Donald Trump's nominees as Senate Republicans march toward a nuclear rules change. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
He later told reporters that his amendment was effectively the same as the discharge petition in the House being pushed by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
"There's been so much lying, obfuscation, cover-ups," Schumer said. "The American people need to see everything that's in the Epstein files. And my amendment would make that happen."
The Epstein drama that has gripped the House has so far been more muted in the Senate, with only a pair of dust-ups between Sens. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., in late July, plus a push from Senate Democrats to eat away floor time last month.
'LOUDER BY THE HOUR': SENATE GOP WANTS THE EPSTEIN DRAMA TO END, BUT DEMOCRATS AREN'T LETTING IT GO
A collection of notes and drawings from the Jeffrey Epstein birthday book made public by the House Oversight Committee. (House Oversight Committee/Getty Images)
The White House has vehemently denied the veracity of the card and also disputed that it was Trump’s signature.
When asked why Democrats never released the files when former President Joe Biden was in power, Schumer pivoted back to Trump.
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"Look, the bottom line is the American people need to see this," Schumer said. "Donald Trump has lied about this. There was no picture. There was no drawing. There have been so many lies, so much prevarication, so much cover-up."
"The American people, Democrats, Independents, Republicans are demanding it be made public," he continued. "And it should be. We hope Republicans will vote for it. They should."
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/so-many-lies-schumer-ambushes-gop-surprise-epstein-files-amendment