Congress Passes Legislation to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Records
The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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