Senate Approves Legislation to Make Public Epstein Documents
The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded 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 voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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