Senate Passes Bill to Release Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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