Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer deployed a rarely used parliamentary maneuver Wednesday to try to force Republicans to vote on requiring the release of Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and sex offender.

The New York Democrat filed cloture on an amendment to the Senate’s fiscal 2026 defense authorization, known as the NDAA, that would mandate the disclosure. The vote could happen on Sept. 12, though Republicans may seek to table it soon.

If the vote occurs, the provision will need 60 votes to become part of the must-pass NDAA.

Democrats in both chambers have looked to force votes relating to the Epstein files, hoping to focus public attention on President Donald Trump’s connection with him. Trump and Epstein had a social relationship before a fall

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