Senate Passes Measure to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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