Congress Approves Bill to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Records
The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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