Senate Greenlights Legislation to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Records
The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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