Senate Approves Measure to Make Public Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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