Senate Greenlights Bill to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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