Senate Passes Bill to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Records
The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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