Congress Approves Legislation to Disclose Epstein Records
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, 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.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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