Congress Passes Bill to Release Epstein Records
The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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