Congress Approves Bill to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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