Senate Passes Bill to Make Public Epstein Records
The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber 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. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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