Senate Passes Bill to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded 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,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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