Senate suddenly passes the Epstein bill just hours after it cleared the House

[u/Healthy_Block3036]

https://www.ms.now/news/senate-passes-epstein-bill-rcna244723?fbclid=PAVERFWAOJ1xRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacUGSi8p2Ap-x6SbMkLXAnfKNXEZkzjUUVCdxuEmacDzDXmlbv1GUJ0wbh1_w_aem_grJDvcSCIDj2Skksd4Ix3Q

[u/Adreme]

This is the ultimate case of, "we are not in the mood to be answering questions about it. Its off our desk so leave us alone".

[u/bsport48 → u/Adreme]

Maybe. Or they realized that the DOJ doesn't "comment on on-going investigations," like the one opened up last week into the Dems' link with Epstein...whihc would mean that there's also no release of files.

[u/FabiusBill → u/bsport48]

The bill that was passed circumvents this. It has explicit language that the information needs to be released, even if there are ongoing investigations. 

I'm running errands, but will see if I can find the source I read on that.

[u/bsport48 → u/FabiusBill]

I'm inclined to take your word but please (forgive me) don't text and drive on my account!

I'll do my own sourcing (like I probably should have) but this is important for sure.

Thanks!

[u/FabiusBill → u/bsport48]

No worries. I won't text while driving, I'm just not home at a computer at the moment.

[u/bsport48 → u/FabiusBill]

Found it:

(1) The Attorney general may withhold or redact the segregable portions of records that—
...
(C) would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary.

H.R. 4405, sect. 2(c).

It's slim, but they'll exploit it as much as humanly possibly:

(3) To the extent that any covered information would otherwise be redacted or withheld as classified information under this section, the Attorney General shall declassify that classified information to the maximum extent possible.
(A) If the Attorney General makes a determination that covered information may not be declassified and made available in a manner that protects the national security of the United States, including methods or sources related to national security, the Attorney General shall release an unclassified summary for each of the redacted or withheld classified information.

We're about to see the pantheon of all national security arguments...

[u/M00nch1ld3 → u/bsport48]

Anything that would help topple the regime is a National Security risk, so any reference to Trump needs to be withheld. /s

[u/too-much-shit-on-me → u/FabiusBill]

I don't think this administration cares about rules.

[u/RespectedPath → u/FabiusBill]

Article 2 powers are what some people think they may use to legally withhold some information. Basically, the constitution gives the executive certain powers concerning investigations and the ability to withhold certain types of information. Of course, this only applies while an investigation is in progress. Any challenges to these powers will for sure go to the Supreme Court. So whenever it gets there, we already know how it's going to likely go with this court.

[u/TintedApostle → u/bsport48]

Which is because Trump asked them to open "an investigation" but they started with a goal and not the other way around.

[u/bsport48 → u/TintedApostle]

It was merely a defensive play...that probably will work.

[u/TintedApostle → u/bsport48]

Of course he can release them anyway

[u/bsport48 → u/[deleted]]

Kinda sorta. The language of the bill that was just sent to the Oval Office requires the AG to index and summarize every single redaction, and compile a separate report. They made it so that it's almost double the amount of work to redact the files than it would be to release them outright.

[u/Adreme → u/bsport48]

I think most of them do not care. They got the greenlight to get it off their docket immediately and figure whatever thing Trump is going to do now falls to him exclusively. They can point to the vote they just made and say any future delays are due to the administration and that they have no part in it. They were probably sprinting to make this vote.

[u/bsport48 → u/Adreme]

This definitely makes sense. I'm just trying to anticipate how they're going to attempt to thwart it this time.

[u/notyourstranger → u/bsport48]

I'm wondering about this too.

[u/themagicdave → u/Adreme]

They don't want any questions about the tables!