Amid Furor Over Epstein Files, Proposed “Virginia’s Law” to Expand Victim Protection Sits Quietly on the Sidelines

In early February, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced a bill dubbed “Virginia’s Law” that would remove the statute of limitations for adult sex abuse and trafficking survivors bringing federal civil claims, while helping ensure abusers cannot avoid civil liability through jurisdictional loopholes. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), chair of the House Democratic Women’s Caucus, has been largely sidelined by the Congressional outrage over the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein files under Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Schumer spoke on Monday at the Staten Island Child Advocacy Center to promote the bill, which was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it awaits action. “It will allow survivors to seek accountability whenever they’re ready, when they feel safe enough to do it, and when they want to pursue litigation,” said Schumer. “It makes clear that abusers and those who are enabling them cannot evade responsibility simply because too much time has passed.”

Named after Epstein survivor and trafficking rights advocate Virginia Giuffre, Virginia’s Law would add to a 2022 law that removed the statute of limitations for victims of child sex abuse. That limit was previously 28-years-old or 10 years after the incident. The removal did not apply to crimes that occurred before 2022, which the new law would address.

Schumer was joined by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon and Safe Horizon CEO Liz Roberts. The nonprofit Safe Horizon calls itself the largest U.S. victim service organization, helping 250,000 people each year. The organization supports victims of physical, sexual and community violence as well as exploitation and abuse.

“We’re in a difficult time because lot of people are in greater fear because we have a tone being set at the top in Washington of disregard for victims of violence,” said Roberts. “We’ve seen that in comments made about domestic violence as well as sexual abuse, and also key appointments of people who have a history of committing those acts.”

Virginia Giuffre allegedly died by suicide in April of 2025.