Congress Passes Legislation to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Records
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation 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 reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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