Congress Greenlights Measure to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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