Congress Greenlights Legislation to Release Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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