US Senate Republicans narrowly reject Schumer bid to force vote on Epstein files

US Senate Republicans narrowly turned away a surprise effort on Wednesday by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to force a vote on a measure ordering the Trump administration to release its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. An amendment introduced by Schumer, requiring the Justice Department to release all Epstein files within 30 days, threatened to foist a controversy dogging President Donald Trump onto Senate Republicans who have so far avoided a debate that has overshadowed the House of Representatives for weeks. The lawmakers voted 51-49 to table the measure, with hardline Republican Senators Josh Hawley and Rand Paul joining Democrats who voted to keep the measure alive. Republicans hold a 53-47 seat Senate majority. "I've always said that...