Senate Greenlights Bill to Disclose Epstein Records
The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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