Senate Greenlights Legislation to Disclose Epstein Documents
The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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