Senate Approves Bill to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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