Senate Approves Measure to Release Jeffrey Epstein Records
The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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