Senate Passes Bill to Release Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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