'So many lies': Schumer ambushes GOP with surprise Epstein files amendment

He later told reporters that his amendment was effectively the same as the discharge petition in the House being pushed by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

"There's been so much lying, obfuscation, cover-ups," Schumer said. "The American people need to see everything that's in the Epstein files. And my amendment would make that happen."

The Epstein drama that has gripped the House has so far been more muted in the Senate, with only a pair of dust-ups between Sens. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., in late July, plus a push from Senate Democrats to eat away floor time last month.

But Schumer's surprise move to file an amendment and force a vote on it comes as Republicans and Democrats are negotiating the annual defense bill, and further, trying to find a middle ground on a government funding extension ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline.

A Senate Republican source told Fox News Digital that Schumer's move was "an extremely hostile act."

"We were actively involved in bipartisan negotiations and this could jeopardize that," the source said.

The White House has vehemently denied the veracity of the card and also disputed that it was Trump's signature.

"Look, the bottom line is the American people need to see this," Schumer said. "Donald Trump has lied about this. There was no picture. There was no drawing. There have been so many lies, so much prevarication, so much cover-up."

"The American people, Democrats, Independents, Republicans are demanding it be made public," he continued. "And it should be. We hope Republicans will vote for it. They should."

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately hear back.