Senate Passes Measure to Release Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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