Senate Approves Measure to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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