Senate Greenlights Legislation to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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