Congress Passes Measure to Disclose Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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