Senate Greenlights Legislation to Disclose Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous 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 scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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