POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Ashley Moody’s alleged decisive vote to block Epstein files mischaracterizes Senate actions
The Claim A video advertisement aired on October 23, 2026 during World Series games for the New Deal for All political action committee accused Florida U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody of casting the deciding...
The Claim
A video advertisement aired on October 23, 2026 during World Series games for the New Deal for All political action committee accused Florida U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody of casting the deciding vote to block the release of the Epstein files. The ad featured a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, Marina, who testified that she was 13 and vulnerable when she met Epstein, describing his actions as “used me in every way.” The text overlay in the video read: Ashley Moody cast the deciding vote to block the release of the Epstein files, while the survivor’s voice‑over reiterated the claim. The ad cited Moody’s September 10, 2025 vote to table a Democratic amendment attached to a defense authorization bill that would have required the attorney general to release investigative files on the deceased sex offender.
PolitiFact’s investigation notes that the ad was funded by New Deal for All, a PAC launched by former Democratic state legislator Steve Pajcic. The PAC’s statement emphasized that if Moody had voted against tabling the amendment, the motion would have failed in a 51‑49 tie, implying Moody had the decisive power. The ad omitted several contextual details that, when included, alter the narrative of Moody’s role in the Senate.
The Details & Investigation
On September 10, 2025, the Senate debated a Democratic amendment (S.Amdt.3849 to S.2296) attached to a defense authorization bill. The amendment sought to direct the Attorney General to disclose all Epstein‑related investigative files. The Senate voted to table the amendment by a 51‑49 margin, effectively blocking its consideration. Nearly all Republican senators, including Moody, joined the table motion. The vote was procedural and did not directly release or withhold files; it simply removed the amendment from the floor for that session.
PolitiFact’s analysis highlights that Moody’s single vote was part of a broader Republican strategy. The Senate table motion would have been defeated only in a 50‑50 tie, but Vice President John D. Vance, serving as President of the Senate, holds the constitutional tie‑breaking power. Even if one Republican had flipped their vote, Vance would have cast the decisive tie‑breaking vote to maintain the table. Thus, Moody’s vote was not the sole or even primary factor preventing the amendment’s passage.
In the months following the September vote, pressure mounted to release the files. A bipartisan group of congressmen led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) petitioned to force a floor vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R.4405). President Donald Trump’s administration had initially opposed the release, urging Republicans to block any such motion. However, on November 18, 2025, the House passed the act 427‑1. In the Senate, the same act was carried by unanimous consent on November 19, 2025—an agreement that required no recorded vote but also no objection. Moody’s participation in this unanimous consent indicates her support for the eventual release of the files.
The New Deal for All PAC’s claim of a “deciding vote” fails to account for the procedural nature of the table motion, the constitutional tie‑breaker role of Vice President Vance, and the subsequent bipartisan passage of the transparency act. While the ad contains an element of truth—Moody voted to table the amendment—the omission of context renders the claim misleading. PolitiFact rates the statement as Mostly False, consistent with its evaluation that the ad misrepresents the Senate’s actions.
The Verdict
Based on a comprehensive review of Senate roll‑call records, constitutional provisions, and the timeline of subsequent legislation, the viral claim that Ashley Moody cast the deciding vote to block the release of Epstein files is largely misleading. Moody’s vote to table the Democratic amendment was part of a coordinated Republican strategy and did not single-handedly determine the outcome. Moreover, Moody later supported the Epstein Files Transparency Act through unanimous consent, facilitating the files’ release. Consequently, the claim is best classified as Mostly False, reflecting the omission of critical facts that significantly alter the interpretation of her actions.
PolitiFact’s investigation underscores the importance of contextualizing procedural votes and recognizing the roles of other Senate members, particularly the Vice President’s tie‑breaking authority. Without these considerations, the ad’s portrayal of Moody as the decisive actor is an oversimplification that misleads the public.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
