Senate Greenlights Legislation to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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