Congress Passes Bill to Disclose Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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