Congress Greenlights Legislation to Release Jeffrey Epstein Records
The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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