Congress Passes Measure to Make Public Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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