Senate Greenlights Measure to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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