In a significant clash of legislative priorities, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has decisively dismissed Speaker Mike Johnson's call for amendments to the Jeffrey Epstein disclosure legislation. Despite Johnson’s persistent advocacy for additional protections within the bill, the Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent shortly after its approval in the House on Tuesday afternoon.

The legislation, aimed at unveiling the details surrounding the controversial Epstein case, was passed in the House with an overwhelming majority of 427-1. Speaker Johnson, however, expressed a strong desire to incorporate further safeguards for victims and whistleblowers—a stance not supported by the Senate leadership.

“I talked with the speaker a bit, and we've been in consultation obviously with the White House on this for some time,” Thune conveyed to reporters. He mentioned that the Senate's decision was influenced by the substantial support the bill received in the House, which signaled a clear path to its passage in the Senate without modifications.

This development marks yet another setback for Johnson in the ongoing Epstein saga, which has seen surprise maneuvers from within his own party, notably from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who successfully pushed the legislation forward despite Johnson's opposition.

Post-vote, Johnson was adamant about the need for amendments. “I talked to John Thune over the weekend. I just texted him. We’re going to get together. We’ll talk about this," Johnson stated, underscoring his commitment to adjust the bill to “make sure that we don’t do permanent damage to the justice system.”

Johnson also hinted at possibly urging a veto from President Trump should the Senate remain unyielding, though he expressed hope it wouldn’t come to that. Additionally, he raised concerns about the national security implications of the bill.

On the other hand, Thune and Senate Republican legal advisors believe the legislation is adequate as it stands. “Our lawyers obviously had looked closely at some of the issues and had concluded that the bill was sufficient to accomplish what needed to be done here, and that is to get the information out there as quickly as possible,” Thune explained.

While there was a brief moment of hesitation in the Senate from Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) who considered last-minute concerns about victim protection, these did not result in any legislative changes. Shortly before the unanimous consent motion, Mullin acknowledged a discussion about “technical changes” with the administration, which ultimately did not materialize.

The rapid approval of the Epstein disclosure bill in the Senate, despite the Speaker's reservations and last-minute debates, underscores the complexity and urgency surrounding the high-profile case, leaving Johnson to reconsider his strategy as the legislative process unfolds.