Congress Passes Measure to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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