Senate Approves Measure to Make Public Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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