Congress Passes Legislation to Release Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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