Senate Passes Legislation to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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