Senate Passes Measure to Release Epstein Documents
The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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