Congress Greenlights Measure to Release Epstein Records
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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