Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Introducing Virginia’s Law To Help Provide Justice For Survivors Of Abuse

Washington, D.C. - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today spoke on the Senate floor to introduce Virginia's Law, legislation named after Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre, to eliminate certain statutes of limitations and empower survivors to pursue justice. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here:

This morning, I will join with over half a dozen women who endured unimaginable horror because of Jeffrey Epstein. And I will also join with Sky and Amanda Roberts, the brother and sister in-law of Virginia Giuffre, the late Epstein survivor who spoke out on behalf of so many. And I am wearing this blue butterfly to show solidarity with them.

Today, we will introduce Virginia's Law, a simple but essential piece of legislation eliminating the statute of limitations that has shielded horrific criminals like Jeffrey Epstein and denied survivors the ability to hold them accountable. I thank Representative Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico for working with me on this bill.

For years, survivors who were abused, trafficked, and exploited by Jeffrey Epstein were ignored by the justice system. They were told nobody believed in them. They were told to be silent.

And when the truth of Jeffrey Epstein finally started to come out, when the world finally started to listen to their stories, oftentimes the laws in the books said, sorry, it's too late. The deadline to bring your case has passed.

Virginia's law will change that, because justice for victims of abuse should not have an expiration date.

Congress should pass this law immediately. We know when Congress has the will, it can pass legislation at lightning speed: we passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act through both chambers in a day. There is no good reason to delay with this bill which I'll introduce later today.

I will have more to say later this morning, but for now I simply want to thank all the survivors and family members who are here today at the Capitol. Their courage is inspiring and they've come a long way from across the country-taking red eyes and flying overnight-so they can be here for this important moment.

Their decision to be here today, to push Virginia's law, will ensure others get the justice they have been wrongly denied for far too long.

Again, I want to thank Virginia Giuffre's family for being here today. What they've gone through is unimaginable. Virginia was courageous, an inspiration to every single one of us. After facing unimaginable horror, she spoke out. Spoke for those who could not speak for themselves. Advancing this bill will help her legacy live on by ensuring justice for all survivors.

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