The Rule of Five, formally known as Section 2954, was first enacted in 1928, establishing a right for lawmakers to access information from the executive branch.

The move is part of an effort by Democrats to draw Senate Republicans into the debate over the release of the Epstein files, which has bitterly divided the House G.O.P. and wrought havoc in that chamber.

Senate Democrats are invoking a little-known legal provision in an effort to force President Donald Trump’s administration to release files related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose ties to powerful figures,