Senate Approves Legislation to Disclose Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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