Washington, DC (EFE).- The United States Congress on Tuesday approved a bill requiring the publication of all non-classified documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and sent it directly to United States President Donald Trump for his signature, after both chambers advanced the measure with near-unanimous support.
The House of Representatives passed the Epstein Records Act in a 427–1 vote earlier on Tuesday.
Hours later, the Senate moved to send the bill automatically to the president’s desk, an unusual step taken without debate or a formal vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer requested unanimous consent to transmit the bill immediately, and no senator objected.
“When a bill comes out of the House with 427 votes in favor and one against, and the president says he will sign it, I’m not sure amending it is even an option,” said Senate Republican leader John Thune.
The legislation compels the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release “all non-classified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” concerning Epstein, including files linked to Ghislaine Maxwell, flight logs, travel records, and references to government officials.
Trump reverses course under GOP pressure
Trump had initially opposed releasing the documents, but reversed his position amid growing pressure inside the Republican Party.
Ahead of the Senate’s action, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he did not care when the chamber planned to approve the bill, adding that what mattered to him was that Republicans remember “all the victories” achieved under his administration.
He has since confirmed he will sign the measure if transmitted by Congress.
The approval sets up the possibility that Trump could ratify the bill as early as Tuesday night, directing the DOJ to begin publishing the Epstein files.
New documents mention Trump, fueling pressure
The vote comes one week after House Democrats released a cache of 20,000 emails in which Epstein referenced Trump, claiming the former president had knowledge of his crimes and had spent “hours” with one of the victims.
The disclosures have intensified political pressure on Republicans and renewed questions about Epstein’s ties to high-profile US figures.
Supporters of the bill say transparency is essential.
“This is about restoring trust,” said Rep. Greg Stanton, a Democrat who helped lead the bipartisan petition to force a vote. “The American people deserve to know what the government knows about Jeffrey Epstein.”
The DOJ would still be allowed to withhold records that could compromise ongoing investigations or place individuals at risk. EFE
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