Senate Passes Measure to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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