WASHINGTON, Feb 10 - Democratic leaders in Congress on Tuesday introduced legislation they say would remove the statute of limitations that has blocked civil claims against sex traffickers, including those associated with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The measure, which lawmakers have dubbed "Virginia's Law," was presented at the U.S. Capitol alongside survivors of abuse and relatives of Virginia Giuffre.
The bill takes its name from Giuffre, one of Epstein's most well-known accusers, who died by suicide last year. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez announced the proposal at a public event that included victims and members of Giuffre's family.
At the press conference, Sky Roberts, Giuffre's brother, described his sister's aim to "inspire and empower survivors to come forward in a world that too often turns away from abuse and pushes it into the shadows. She wanted to bring light." Roberts, visibly emotional, was asked about a publicly circulated photograph that shows former UK Prince Andrew with his arm around Giuffre. "I think he should show up in front of our Congress," Roberts said, adding, "He has a lot of questions he needs to answer."
The proposed legislation would eliminate the statute of limitations for adult victims or their survivors seeking civil remedies, a change that would apply to many individuals who allege abuse by Epstein. In addition to removing time bars, the bill would expand the legal avenues available to victims by covering sex crimes that occurred outside U.S. territory when a U.S. court has jurisdiction.
Although Epstein died in 2019, his case has continued to spur oversight activity and legal and legislative responses aimed at improving transparency and accountability for victims. Lawmakers succeeded last year in a bipartisan effort to require the Department of Justice to release unclassified materials from its investigation of Epstein.
The Justice Department has said it released nearly 3.5 million pages of documents, though some of those files contain heavy redactions. Members of Congress began examining unredacted records on Monday. Schumer has urged that all remaining unreleased files, which he has described as numbering in the millions, be made public.
Separately, the House Oversight Committee conducted a private, virtual deposition of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell on Monday. Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for her role in facilitating sexual abuse of teenage girls by Epstein, refused to answer questions during the deposition and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The committee has also scheduled closed-door testimony later this month with former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of its investigation into matters related to Epstein.
The legislative path forward for Virginia's Law is unclear. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are controlled by Republicans, and it remains to be seen whether lawmakers in either chamber will advance the proposal.
Context note: The bill was announced publicly with victims and family members present and follows continuing congressional oversight and document releases tied to the Epstein investigation.