Senate Approves Measure to Disclose Epstein Documents
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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