Archiv: US-Senat (Kongresskammer) / US Senate (Congress chamber)


29.11.2025 - 17:27 [ Tim Kaine, United States Senator from Virginia ]

Dear Attorney General Bondi and Secretary Hegseth:

(November 24, 2025)

Dear Attorney General Bondi and Secretary Hegseth:

We are writing to request expeditious declassification and public release of the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel’s written opinion, dated September 5, 2025, concerning the domestic and international legal basis for recent military strikes of certain vessels near South America and the Caribbean, with appropriate redactions necessary to protect military personnel and sensitive intelligence matters.

Significant and noteworthy precedent exists for the public release of OLC opinions related to overseas military action. After the United States carried out military strikes in Libya in 2011 and in Syria in 2018, the Department of Justice released the applicable OLC opinion justifying each operation.

Few decisions are more consequential for a democracy than the use of lethal force. We therefore believe that the declassification and public release of this important document would enhance transparency in the use of deadly force by our Nation’s military and is necessary to ensure Congress and the American people are fully informed of the legal justification supporting these strikes.

Sincerely,

Richard Blumenthal
United States Senator

Jack Reed
United States Senator

Jeanne Shaheen
United States Senator

Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator

Mazie K. Hirono
United States Senator

Tim Kaine
United States Senator

Angus S. King, Jr.
United States Senator

Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator

Gary C. Peters
United States Senator

Tammy Duckworth
United States Senator

Jacky Rosen
United States Senator

Mark Kelly
United States Senator

Elissa Slotkin
United States Senator

26.11.2025 - 18:46 [ theHill.com ]

Senate Democrats ask Hegseth, Bondi to declassify DOJ memo on drug boat strikes

(November 24, 2025)

Senate Democrats are asking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi to declassify and publicly release the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel’s classified, written opinion outlining the legal basis for the Trump administration’s strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Thirteen Senate Democrats, all members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, are demanding an “expeditious declassification and public release” of the classified opinion, which was drafted over the summer and argued that U.S. troops who participate in boat strikes, which have taken place on both sides of South America, cannot be prosecuted.

26.11.2025 - 17:57 [ Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator for Michigan ]

Slotkin Demands Declassification and Public Release of Information on the Trump Administration’s Lethal Airstrikes

Nov 24, 2025 | Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined members of the Senate Armed Services Committee in writing to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requesting the declassification and public release of the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) written opinion on the Trump Administration’s lethal airstrikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

“Few decisions are more consequential for a democracy than the use of lethal force. We therefore believe that the declassification and public release of this important document would enhance transparency in the use of deadly force by our Nation’s military and is necessary to ensure Congress and the American people are fully informed of the legal justification supporting these strikes,” the Senators wrote.

26.11.2025 - 13:44 [ NPR.org ]

Sen. Mark Kelly: Trump and Hegseth don‘t ‚understand the Constitution‘

On Monday, the Pentagon announced an investigation into Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot, for possible violations of military law for appearing in the video. The video was published as legal questions swirl around the Trump administration‘s deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities.

While the White House has since walked back the president‘s remarks calling the Senators‘ video „seditious behavior, punishable by DEATH,“ Kelly told All Things Considered he thinks President Trump is „declaring that loyalty to the Constitution is punishable by death.“

26.11.2025 - 13:19 [ U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan ]

My Statement on FBI Request for Interviews

President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress.

Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews. No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.

We swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship.

26.11.2025 - 13:03 [ Congressman Chris Deluzio / X ]

President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass members of Congress.

Yesterday, the FBI contacted the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms requesting interviews.

No amount of intimidation or harassment will ever stop us from doing our jobs and honoring our Constitution.

We swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. We will not be bullied. We will never give up the ship.

24.11.2025 - 07:03 [ PBS.org ]

U.S. senators say Rubio told them Trump’s Ukraine peace plan is Russian ‘wish list’

Rounds said „it looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with.“

The senators said they spoke to Rubio after he reached out to some of them while on his way to Geneva for talks on the plan. Independent Maine Sen. Angus King said Rubio told them the plan „was not the administration‘s plan“ but a „wish list of the Russians.“

The bipartisan group of senators, who are veteran legislators and among those most focused on foreign relations, stood together at the press conference as they relayed Rubio‘s message on the call.

24.11.2025 - 07:01 [ Kyiv Independent ]

Rubio facing scrutiny after telling US senators that 28-point plan is a Russian proposal passed along to Ukraine

The U.S. bipartisan Senate delegation attending the Halifax International Security Forum had received a phone call from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In it, Rubio was quite frank.

According to Republican Senator Mike Rounds, Rubio told senators that the 28-point peace plan drawn up by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev, was actually a Russian plan that the U.S. had agreed to pass along to Ukraine.

19.11.2025 - 23:06 [ CNN ]

Schumer says Democrats will hold DOJ accountable for fully releasing the Epstein files

“No hiding, no game playing, no covering up,” he said, adding they would use “pressure to make sure the documents are released in their entirety and not warped by a corrupt DOJ who’s hell bent on hiding the truth, bending the law and protecting Trump.”

Asked about Republicans arguing that Democrats — and their donors — could also be in the files, Schumer replied, “We think every name should come out, everything, everything. There should be no cover up.”

19.11.2025 - 00:09 [ USA Today / Youtuibe ]

Watch live: Senate agrees to pass bill to release Jeffrey Epstein files

Both chambers of Congress nearly unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday, Nov. 18, to compel the Justice Department to release as much information as possible about the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

The success of the measure, which will immediately go to President Donald Trump‘s desk, was a remarkable show of bipartisan force.

18.11.2025 - 23:52 [ theHill.com ]

Senate unanimously approves bill to force release of Epstein files

(today, 5:23 PM ET)

The Senate agreed by unanimous consent Tuesday to approve a House-passed bill to require the Justice Department to release all unclassified records and documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sending the bill to President Trump’s desk for a signature.

The swift Senate action ends the protracted battle in Congress over the files, which caused months of turmoil in the House and gave Democrats political ammo to accuse Republicans of protecting rich and powerful people who participated in Epstein’s illicit activities.

18.11.2025 - 23:17 [ Senator Chuck Schumer / Youtube ]

NOW: I‘m Live On The Senate Floor, 11.18.25

Streamed live 119 minutes ago
I‘m speaking live from the floor of the U.S. Senate.

18.11.2025 - 23:04 [ theHill.com ]

Schumer will push Senate to ‘immediately’ pass Epstein files bill

(today, 2:01 PM ET)

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) said Tuesday that he will request unanimous consent on the Senate floor to “immediately” pass a bill to direct the Department of Justice to publicly release all unclassified files related to Jeffrey Epstein after the House approves the legislation.

“Once the House passes the bill to release the Epstein files today, I will move for the Senate to immediately take it up and pass it — period,” Schumer said in a statement.

Schumer is expected to take to the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon to make his request.

18.11.2025 - 22:46 [ CNN ]

Here’s the Epstein bill’s possible path in the Senate

A Senate-passed bill without changes would go to President Donald Trump’s desk for his approval.

If the Senate were to amend it, the bill would moves to Trump’s desk after the Senate version was again passed by the House.

Trump has said he will sign the bill into law. But he could also change his mind and choose to veto the bill, which would then require a two-thirds vote to override the president’s veto. He could also decide not to act on the bill, allowing it to become law without his signature.

18.11.2025 - 21:43 [ theHill.com ]

Jeffrey Epstein Senate vote poses difficult decision for GOP leader John Thune

(today, 06:00 AM ET)

GOP senators argued earlier this year that Congress doesn’t have the authority to “dictate” how the Justice Department should handle the issue.

A source familiar with Republican discussions around the plan for this week said the GOP leadership is waiting to see how much support the bill gets in the House, which is expected to vote as soon as Tuesday.

“We’ll likely watch what the House does and make decisions after that,” the source said.

18.11.2025 - 21:30 [ Times of India ]

‚SHARED CONCERNS WITH THUNE‘: Mike Johnson’s Big Signal On Senate ‘Stopping’ Epstein Petition

The Speaker also revealed he has spoken with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, saying the Senate is likely to slow things down and push amendments to ensure safeguards for victims before any release of the files.

18.11.2025 - 17:58 [ USA Today ]

When will the House vote to release files on Jeffrey Epstein? Latest on vote timing

When is the House vote on the Epstein files?

The House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act is expected to begin on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at around 2 p.m. ET, according to an update from Rep. Katherine Clark, the minority whip.
How to watch the House vote on Epstein files bill

Tune into USA TODAY‘s live stream – at the embed at the top of the page or on USA TODAY‘s YouTube channel − to watch the House vote in real time.

18.11.2025 - 16:46 [ WorldWithoutExploitation.org ]

National PSA Calling for Release of ALL the Epstein Files

For five administrations, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have been left in the dark, waiting for answers and accountability. After three decades, it’s finally time to bring the secrets out of the shadows. We are demanding the release of ALL the Epstein files.

The time is now! Call your member of congress and tell them to VOTE YES on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

18.11.2025 - 15:47 [ Congress of the United States of America ]

S.2557 – Epstein Files Transparency Act

A BILL

To direct the Attorney General to make publicly available documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Epstein Files Transparency Act”.

SEC. 2. Release of documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein.

(a) In general.—Subject to subsection (c), not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and each United States Attorney‘s Office, that relate to—

(1) Jeffrey Epstein, including all investigations, prosecutions, or custodial matters;

(2) Ghislaine Maxwell;

(3) any flight logs or travel records, including manifests, itineraries, pilot records, and customs or immigration documentation, for any aircraft, vessel, or vehicle owned, operated, or used by Jeffrey Epstein or any related entity;

(4) any individuals, including government officials, named or referenced in connection with the criminal activities, civil settlements, immunity or plea agreements, or investigatory proceedings of Jeffrey Epstein;

(5) any corporate, nonprofit, academic, or governmental entities with known or alleged ties to the trafficking or financial networks of Jeffrey Epstein;

(6) any immunity deals, non-prosecution agreements, plea bargains, or sealed settlements involving Jeffrey Epstein or his associates;

(7) any internal Department of Justice communications, including emails, memoranda, and meeting notes, concerning decisions to charge, not charge, investigate, or decline to investigate Jeffrey Epstein or his associates;

(8) any communications, memoranda, directives, logs, or metadata concerning the destruction, deletion, alteration, misplacement, or concealment of documents, recordings, or electronic data related to Jeffrey Epstein, his associates, his detention and death, or any investigative files; or

(9) any documentation of the detention or death of Jeffrey Epstein, including incident reports, witness interviews, medical examiner files, autopsy reports, and written records detailing the circumstances and cause of death.

17.11.2025 - 22:27 [ Politico.com ]

‘He got tired of me winning’: How Thomas Massie outmaneuvered Trump on Epstein

The president could order the release of the entire Epstein document trove at any time, vote or no vote. So far, he’s declined to do so.

Senate GOP leaders have not committed to holding a vote on the Epstein bill if the House passes it as expected this week. While Republicans still widely assume the measure will die in the other chamber, it will be hard to argue to GOP senators that they should take the political heat while their House counterparts get to take a consequence-free vote.

Massie has been working with Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who authored a Senate version of the bill, to bring the matter to a head across the Rotunda. Senate Democrats are already exploring options to force a vote in the coming weeks.

10.11.2025 - 18:07 [ Fox News ]

Senate Democrats cave, open path to reopening government

Several Senate Democrats crossed the aisle despite getting no guaranteed deal on Obamacare subsidies

10.11.2025 - 18:04 [ New York Times ]

8 Senators Break Ranks With Democrats and Advance G.O.P. Plan to End Shutdown

The compromise still needs to win approval in the Senate, pass the G.O.P.-controlled House and be signed by President Trump to bring the shutdown to an end.

Here are the eight senators — none of whom face re-election in 2026, and two of whom are retiring at the end of their terms — who broke ranks:

07.11.2025 - 23:25 [ Trinidad Express ]

US Senate blocks bid to limit Trump’s war powers on Venezuela

A vote was held to discharge Resolution S.J.Res.90, the Venezuela Hostilities Removal Resolution, a resolution sponsored by Democrats Tim Kaine and Adam Schiff and Republican senator Rand Paul on October 16.

It aimed to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution which asserts that US military action should be approved by US Congress.

The motion was not agreed to, 49 US senators voting in favour, but 51 voting against.

31.07.2025 - 07:56 [ Politico.com ]

Senate votes down Israel arms sales ban, despite growing Democrat support

The first of two votes pushed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders — which came to 27-70 — renewed efforts to halt American weapons transfers in protest of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Democrats split on the vote, with 12 new supporters who previously backed arms sales to Israel.

14.07.2025 - 22:20 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Senators Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch and Chris Van Hollen in Solidarity with Odeh

(16 hours ago)

“We strongly condemn the effort to expel MK Ayman Odeh from the Israeli Knesset,” the US senators said. “If Israel is going to call itself a democracy, it must tolerate peaceful dissent.” The senators linked the expulsion effort to Odeh’s calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, and a political solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

“For over a decade, MK Odeh has been a leading advocate for peace, justice, and Jewish-Arab partnership,” they said. “The current expulsion effort is a direct response to MK Odeh’s outspoken and brave calls.” The lawmakers described the move as sending “a chilling message to millions of Palestinian citizens of Israel: that their representation is conditional and their rights revocable.” “We stand in solidarity with MK Odeh and with the right of all lawmakers, Arab and Jewish, to speak freely and without fear of political retribution,” they said.

28.06.2025 - 04:26 [ New York Times ]

Senate Blocks War Powers Resolution to Limit Trump’s Ability to Strike Iran Again

The Senate on Friday blocked a Democratic resolution that would have forced President Trump to go to Congress for approval of further military action against Iran, dealing a blow to efforts to rein in his war powers.

The 53-to-47 vote against bringing up the resolution, mostly along party lines, came nearly a week after the president unilaterally ordered strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities without consulting the House and Senate. I

18.06.2025 - 20:24 [ ABC News ]

FULL SPEECH: Sen. Padilla speaks on Senate floor after removal from DHS press conference

California Sen. Alex Padilla delivered a speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday, recalling the incident and calling on lawmakers to speak out against the Trump administration.

13.06.2025 - 00:12 [ Forbes Breaking News / Youtube ]

‘This Is Not An Isolated Incident’: Cory Booker Condemns Padilla’s Removal From DHS Press Briefing

During remarks on the Senate floor Thursday, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) spoke about the removal of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) from a DHS briefing.

12.06.2025 - 23:12 [ Politico.com ]

Alex Padilla confrontation in LA shocks senators

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it “sickened my stomach — the manhandling of a United States Senator.” Padilla’s California colleague Adam Schiff called for an immediate investigation.

Several other Democrats were dropping the word “fascism” in conversations as they made their way out of the Capitol.

12.06.2025 - 23:07 [ Guardian News / Youtube ]

California senator Alex Padilla forcibly removed from Kristi Noem LA press conference

Security guards wrestled Padilla out of the conference room as he explained he was a senator and wanted to ask the homeland security secretary a question.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, Padilla said: ‚If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day labourers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country‘

12.06.2025 - 23:04 [ Los Angeles Times ]

Sen. Alex Padilla handcuffed by federal agents at immigration press conference

About five minutes into a press conference at the Westwood federal building, Noem told the media that the Trump administration planned to “liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that the governor and the mayor have placed on this country.”

Padilla, who was standing near a wall on one side of the room, then tried to interrupt Noem to ask a question, video footage shows. Cameras turned toward him as two Secret Service agents tried to push him backward. “Sir, sir, hands up,” one said.

20.04.2025 - 20:44 [ ABC News ]

Van Hollen: ‚I am not defending the man, I am defending the rights of this man to due process‘

Karl asked the senator what Abrego Garcia shared during their meeting.

“He told me about the trauma he had been experiencing, both in terms of the abduction and the fact that he was originally sent to CECOT, which is this notorious prison,” Van Hollen said. “He specifically mentioned his 5-year-old boy who has autism, because that boy had been in the car with him when U.S. agents had stopped them and handcuffed him and then taken him away.”

20.04.2025 - 20:38 [ NBC News ]

Sen. Chris Van Hollen says U.S. is in a ‚constitutional crisis‘ as Trump disregards court orders in the Abrego Garcia case

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., on Sunday accused President Donald Trump of sending the U.S. into a constitutional crisis, saying members of the Trump administration “are very much flouting the courts as we speak.”

Asked directly on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” whether the U.S. is currently in a constitutional crisis, Van Hollen said, “Yes, we are.”