Congress Approves Bill to Make Public Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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