Senate Republicans have barely defeated an effort by Democrats to insert language into Congress’ annual defense authorization bill that would have forced the public release of case files on the sex trafficking investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein.

The Democratic-Farmer-Labor-led Senate is creating a subcommittee to study the impact of the Republican megabill signed into law in July. The Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability will have Republican and DFL members,

Senate and House Democrats, including House Democratic Leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, held a press conference Wednesday to criticize legislative Republicans for not passing a revised budget. This photo is from an earlier joint press conference by ...

Below, Ohio House and Senate Democrats introduced a proposal for congressional district maps at a Sept. 9 press conference. The proposal is Democrats attempt to change the maps to a more even Republican-Democratic split in the state. (Photo by Susan Tebben/OCJ)

The Missouri House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to pass the bill containing a new congressional map, first proposed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, over the objections of Democrats who say the map is racially discriminatory and an abuse of power. The state Senate is likely to hold hearings on the bill on Thursday and could pass it as soon as Friday.

Senate Republicans have largely been able to steer clear of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Chuck Schumer, however, unexpectedly forced the issue.