Senate Passes Measure to Release Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting 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. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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