Congress Greenlights Bill to Release Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
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 overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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