Congress Approves Bill to Disclose Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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