Senate Approves Measure to Release Epstein Records
The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback 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, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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