Congress Approves Legislation to Disclose Epstein Records

The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.

Expedited Approval in Both Chambers

The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.

The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”

Future Action

The measure next goes to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.

Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.

Reaction

Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.